Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the temporal and spatial expression and localization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA during mouse tooth development.
Methods: The distribution pattern of TGF-beta 1 mRNA during tooth development was analyzed on 5 microns serial sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded embryonic mouse heads or mandibles.
Results: The results show that TGF-beta 1 mRNA is expressed during mouse tooth development in a temporally and spatially regulated fashion. Local expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in the dental epithelium at budstaged (E13) and capstaged (E15) teeth were observed. During bell stage (E16-18), TGF beta 1 mRNA was very abundant in the ameloblast layer and dental papilla cells. The expression of TGF-beta 1 increased in the layer of odontoblast and ameloblast with the differentiation of these cells.
Conclusion: These results suggest that TGF-beta 1 may have an important role in odontogenesis and that it acts as a paracrine and autoinducing factor.