Expression of Dlx-5 and Msx-1 in Craniofacial Skeletons and Ilia of Rats Treated With Zoledronate.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the different embryologic origins of the craniofacial skeleton and ilium, differences in gene expression patterns have been observed between the jaw bones and ilium. Distal-less homeobox (Dlx) genes and Msh homeobox genes, particularly Dlx-5 and Msx-1, play major roles in cell differentiation and osteogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of zoledronate (ZOL) on the craniofacial skeleton and ilium by detecting changes in Dlx-5 and Msx-1 expression at both the protein and messenger RNA levels.


METHODS
A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: ZOL group (n = 12), in which the rats were injected intraperitoneally with zoledronic acid for 12 weeks, and control group (n = 12), in which the rats were injected with saline solution for 12 weeks. By use of immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the expression levels of Dlx-5 and Msx-1 in the craniofacial skeleton (including the maxilla, mandible, and parietal bone) and ilium were examined.


RESULTS
Dlx-5 expression in the maxilla and mandible was increased at the protein and messenger RNA levels in the ZOL group compared with the control group (P < .01). In addition, Msx-1 expression in the maxilla and mandible was decreased in the ZOL group (P < .01). Furthermore, Dlx-5 and Msx-1 expression in the ilium was decreased in the ZOL group (P < .05). However, no significant difference in Dlx-5 or Msx-1 expression in the parietal bone was observed between the 2 groups (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Site-specific differences in the effects of ZOL on the craniofacial skeleton and ilium could be explained by differently altered tendencies in Dlx-5 and Msx-1 expression. The jaw bones were more susceptible to the effects of ZOL than the parietal bone and ilium.
Dental Student, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Bin
B
Xuan
Dental Student, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Pan
P
Yang
Hospital Practitioner, Department of Prosthodontics, Tanggu Stomatological Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Shichao
S
Wu
Dental Student, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Lin
L
Li
Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Jian
J
Zhang
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China. Electronic address: zhangwen1228@163.com.
Wenyi
W
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007085:Ilium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012886:Skull / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; C088334:Distal-less homeobox proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007093:Imidazoles; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor; C497998:Msx1 protein, rat; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid