Runx1-Stat3 signaling regulates the epithelial stem cells in continuously growing incisors

Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 19;8(1):10906. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29317-6.

Abstract

Rodent incisors grow permanently and the homeostasis of enamel production is maintained by a continuous supply of epithelial progenitors from putative stem cells in the cervical loop. We herein report that Runx1 regulates the Lgr5-expressing epithelial stem cells and their subsequent continuous differentiation into ameloblasts. Mice deficient in epithelial Runx1 demonstrate remarkable shortening of the incisors with underdevelopment of the cervical loop and enamel defects. In this mutant cervical loop, the proliferation of the dental epithelium was significantly disturbed and the expression of Lgr5 and enamel matrix proteins was remarkably downregulated. Interestingly, the expression of Socs3, an inhibitor of Stat3 signaling, was upregulated and Stat3 phosphorylation was suppressed specifically in the mutant cervical loop. The expression of Lgr5 and the enamel matrix protein in the wild-type incisor germs is disturbed by pharmaceutical Stat3 inhibition in vitro., of. Conversely, pharmaceutical activation of Stat3 rescues the defective phenotypes of the Runx1 mutant with upregulated Lgr5 and enamel matrix protein genes. The present results provide the first evidence of the role of Runx1 regulates the Lgr5-expressing epithelial stem cells and differentiation of ameloblast progenitors in the developing incisors. Our study also demonstrates that Stat3 modulates the Runx1-Lgr5 axis in the cervical loop.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Dental Enamel / cytology
  • Dental Enamel / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Incisor / cytology
  • Incisor / growth & development*
  • Incisor / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
  • Lgr5 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Runx1 protein, mouse
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Socs3 protein, mouse
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein