title: Reduced RANKL expression impedes osteoclast activation and tooth eruption in alendronate-treated rats.
abstract: The creation of the eruption pathway requires the resorption of the occlusal alveolar bone by osteoclasts and signaling events between bone and dental follicle are necessary. The aim of the present study has been to evaluate the effect of alendronate on osteoclastogenesis and the expression of the regulator proteins of osteoclast activation, namely RANK, RANKL and OPG, in the bone that covers the first molar germ. Newborn Wistar rats were treated daily with 2.5 mg/kg alendronate for 4, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days, whereas controls received sterile saline solution. At the time points cited, maxillae were fixed, decalcified and processed for light and electron microscopic analysis. TRAP histochemistry was performed on semi-serial sections and the osteoclasts in the occlusal half of the bony crypt surface were counted. TUNEL analysis was carried out on paraffin sections. The occlusal bone that covers the upper first molar was removed in additional 4- and 8-day-old alendronate-treated and control rats in which the expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG was analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. TRAP-positive osteoclasts were more numerous in the alendronate group at all time points, despite their unactivated phenotype and the presence of apoptotic cells. RANKL expression in the alendronate specimens was inhibited at all time points, unlike in controls. Our findings indicate that the expression of RANKL in the occlusal portion of the bony crypt is unrelated to osteoclast recruitment and differentiation but is crucial to their activation during the creation of the eruption pathway.
authors: Laboratory of Oral Biology, Department of Biomaterials and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof Lineu Prestes 2227, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
authors: Vivian
authors: V
authors: Bradaschia-Correa
authors: Mariana M
authors: MM
authors: Moreira
authors: Victor E
authors: VE
authors: Arana-Chavez
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D019386:Alendronate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C506032:Tnfrsf11b protein, rat; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; D019386:Alendronate