Tooth development is a complex, multistage process that involves reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, polarized growth, establishment of bilateral symmetries morphogenetic movements, and cytodifferentiation. These complex developmental events have been described in detail, but the underlying mechanisms of regulation remain largely unclear. In particular, little is known about the nature of the molecules mediating epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, the modes of polarized growth, and the roles of """"""""minor"""""""" tooth germ cell populations such as the inner dental epithelium-associated stratum intermedium. In our Preliminary Studies below, we now show that (a) Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is expressed in stratum intermedium and associated preameloblasts at late-bell and crown stages, and (b) treatment of tooth germs in organ culture with antibodies against SHH or SHH antisense oligonucleotides inhibits enamel organ growth, mesenchymal condensation, and cytodifferentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts. We show for the first time that stratum intermedium undergoes striking spatio-temporal changes in structure and phenotype during odontogenesis involving transient multilayering and SHH expression; reciprocal events occur in the associated preameloblast layer. These and additional Preliminary Studies detailed below lead us to two central hypotheses: (A) SHH is a signaling molecule produced by the dental lamina first and stratum intermedium thereafter, which is needed for tooth germ initiation and early morphogenetic events; and (B) SHH mediates epithelial- epithelial interactions between stratum intermedium and inner dental epithelium at later stages, which are needed for ameloblast terminal differentiation. Specifically , we propose to (a) determine the mechanisms of SHH signaling during odontogenesis, (b) analyze how stratum intermedium structure and phenotype change during odontogenesis, and (c) determine whether and how stratum intermedium induces and regulates ameloblast cell differentiation. To achieve these goals, we will make use of organ cultures, tissue transplantations, in situ hybridization, immunological approaches, recombinant protein preparation, and retrovirally-driven ectopic gene expression. The results of the project will provide key information on morphogenetic and cellular signals responsible for initiation and progression of odontogenesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE013206-02
Application #
6175901
Study Section
Oral Biology and Medicine Subcommittee 1 (OBM)
Project Start
1999-07-01
Project End
2004-06-30
Budget Start
2000-07-01
Budget End
2001-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$205,205
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Kanyama, Manabu; Shimo, Tsuyoshi; Sugito, Hiroki et al. (2013) Regulation of CCN2 gene expression and possible roles in developing tooth germs. Arch Oral Biol 58:1659-66
Shimo, Tsuyoshi; Kanyama, Manabu; Wu, Changshan et al. (2004) Expression and roles of connective tissue growth factor in Meckel's cartilage development. Dev Dyn 231:136-47
Koyama, Eiki; Wu, Changshan; Shimo, Tsuyoshi et al. (2003) Chick limbs with mouse teeth: an effective in vivo culture system for tooth germ development and analysis. Dev Dyn 226:149-54
Wu, Changshan; Shimo, Tsuyoshi; Liu, Mufei et al. (2003) Sonic hedgehog functions as a mitogen during bell stage of odontogenesis. Connect Tissue Res 44 Suppl 1:92-6
Shimo, Tsuyoshi; Wu, Changshan; Billings, Paul C et al. (2002) Expression, gene regulation, and roles of Fisp12/CTGF in developing tooth germs. Dev Dyn 224:267-78
Koyama, E; Wu, C; Shimo, T et al. (2001) Development of stratum intermedium and its role as a Sonic hedgehog-signaling structure during odontogenesis. Dev Dyn 222:178-91