Disrupted odontoblast differentiation and dentin dysplasia in Epiprofin-deficient mice

Int J Dev Biol. 2024;68(1):19-24. doi: 10.1387/ijdb.240029lj.

Abstract

Tooth formation is a process tightly regulated by reciprocal interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. These epithelial-mesenchyme interactions regulate the expression of target genes via transcription factors. Among the regulatory elements governing this process, Epiprofin/Sp6 is a zinc finger transcription factor which is expressed in the embryonic dental epithelium and in differentiating pre-odontoblasts. Epiprofin knockout (Epfn-/-) mice present severe dental abnormalities, such as supernumerary teeth and enamel hypoplasia. Here, we describe dentin defects in molars and incisors of Epfn-/- mice. We observed that in the absence of Epfn, markers of early odontoblast differentiation, such as alkaline phosphatase activity, Dsp/Dpp expression, and Collagen Type I deposition, are downregulated. In addition, the expression of tight and gap junction proteins was severely impaired in the predontoblastic cell layer of developing Epfn-/- molars. Altogether, our data shows that Epfn is crucial for the proper differentiation of dental mesenchymal cells towards functional odontoblasts and subsequent dentin-matrix deposition.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Dentin Dysplasia* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Odontoblasts* / metabolism
  • Odontogenesis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors