Claudin rather than occludin is essential for differentiation in rat incisor odontoblasts

Wnt pathway inhibitors are upregulated in XLH dental pulp cells in response to odontogenic differentiation

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) represents the most common form of familial hypophosphatemia. Although significant advances have been made in the treatment of bone pathology, patients undergoing therapy continue to experience significantly decreased oral health-related quality of life. The following study addresses this persistent oral disease by further investigating the effect of DMP1 expression on the differentiation of XLH dental pulp cells. Dental pulp cells were isolated from the third molars of XLH and healthy controls and stable transduction of full-length human DMP1 were achieved. RNA sequencing was performed to evaluate the genetic changes following the induction of odontogenic differentiation. RNAseq data shows the upregulation of inhibitors of the canonical Wnt pathway in XLH cells, while constitutive expression of full-length DMP1 in XLH cells reversed this effect during odontogenic differentiation. These results imply that inhibition of the canonical Wnt pathway may contribute to the pathophysiology of XLH and suggest a new therapeutic strategy for the management of oral disease.

The Genes Involved in Dentinogenesis

The development and repair of dentin are strictly regulated by hundreds of genes. Abnormal dentin development is directly caused by gene mutations and dysregulation. Understanding and mastering this signal network is of great significance to the study of tooth development, tissue regeneration, aging, and repair and the treatment of dental diseases. It is necessary to understand the formation and repair mechanism of dentin in order to better treat the dentin lesions caused by various abnormal properties, whether it is to explore the reasons for the formation of dentin defects or to develop clinical drugs to strengthen the method of repairing dentin. Molecular biology of genes related to dentin development and repair are the most important basis for future research.

Cell polarization: From epithelial cells to odontoblasts

Cell polarity identifies the asymmetry of a cell. Various types of cells, including odontoblasts and epithelial cells, polarize to fulfil their destined functions. Odontoblast polarization is a prerequisite and fundamental step for tooth development and tubular dentin formation. Current knowledge of odontoblast polarization, however, is very limited, which greatly impedes the development of novel approaches for regenerative endodontics. Compared to odontoblasts, epithelial cell polarization has been extensively studied over the last several decades. The knowledge obtained from epithelia polarization has been found applicable to other cell types, which is particularly useful considering the remarkable similarities of the morphological and compositional features between polarized odontoblasts and epithelia. In this review, we first discuss the characteristics, the key regulatory factors, and the process of epithelial polarity. Next, we compare the known facts of odontoblast polarization with epithelial cells. Lastly, we clarify knowledge gaps in odontoblast polarization and propose the directions for future research to fill the gaps, leading to the advancement of regenerative endodontics.

Isl1 Controls Patterning and Mineralization of Enamel in the Continuously Renewing Mouse Incisor

Rodents are characterized by continuously renewing incisors whose growth is fueled by epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells housed in the proximal compartments of the tooth. The epithelial stem cells reside in structures known as the labial (toward the lip) and lingual (toward the tongue) cervical loops (laCL and liCL, respectively). An important feature of the rodent incisor is that enamel, the outer, highly mineralized layer, is asymmetrically distributed, because it is normally generated by the laCL but not the liCL. Here, we show that epithelial-specific deletion of the transcription factor Islet1 (Isl1) is sufficient to drive formation of ectopic enamel by the liCL stem cells, and also that it leads to production of altered enamel on the labial surface. Molecular analyses of developing and adult incisors revealed that epithelial deletion of Isl1 affected multiple, major pathways: Bmp (bone morphogenetic protein), Hh (hedgehog), Fgf (fibroblast growth factor), and Notch signaling were upregulated and associated with liCL-generated ectopic enamel; on the labial side, upregulation of Bmp and Fgf signaling, and downregulation of Shh were associated with premature enamel formation. Transcriptome profiling studies identified a suite of differentially regulated genes in developing Isl1 mutant incisors. Our studies demonstrate that ISL1 plays a central role in proper patterning of stem cell-derived enamel in the incisor and indicate that this factor is an important upstream regulator of signaling pathways during tooth development and renewal. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Dentin sialoprotein facilitates dental mesenchymal cell differentiation and dentin formation

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) is a dentin extracellular matrix protein. It is involved in dental mesenchymal cell lineages and dentin formation through regulation of its target gene expression. DSP mutations cause dentin genetic diseases. However, mechanisms of DSP in controlling dental mesenchymal cell differentiation are unknown. Using DSP as bait, we screened a protein library from mouse odontoblastic cells and found that DSP is a ligand and binds to cell surface receptor, occludin. Further study identified that the C-terminal DSP domain^{aa 363–458} interacts with the occludin extracellular loop 2^{aa 194–241}. The C-terminal DSP domain induced phosphorylation of occludin Ser⁴⁹⁰ and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) Ser⁷²² and Tyr⁵⁷⁶. Coexpression of DSP, occludin and FAK was detected in dental mesenchymal cells during tooth development. Occludin physically interacts with FAK, and occludin and FAK phosphorylation can be blocked by DSP and occludin antibodies. This DSP domain facilitates dental mesenchymal cell differentiation and mineralization. Furthermore, transplantation and pulp-capping procedures revealed that this DSP domain induces endogenous dental pulp mesenchymal cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, while stimulating blood vessel proliferation. This study elucidates the mechanism of DSP in dental mesenchymal lineages and implies that DSP may serve as a therapeutic agent for dentin-pulp complex regeneration in dental caries.

Differential expression of claudin family members during osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation: Cldn-1 is a novel positive regulator of osteoblastogenesis

Claudins (Cldns), a family of 27 transmembrane proteins, represent major components of tight junctions. Aside from functioning as tight junctions, Cldns have emerging roles as regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation. While Cldns are known to be expressed and have important functions in various tissues, their expression and function in bone cells is ill-defined. In this study, the expression of Cldns was examined during osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. The expression of Cldn-1, -7, -11, and -15 was downregulated during early stages of osteoclast differentiation, whereas Cldn-6 was upregulated. Moreover, the expression of several Cldns increased 3–7 fold in fully differentiated osteoclasts. As for osteoblasts, the expression of several Cldns was found to increase more than 10-fold during differentiation, with some peaking at early, and others at late stages. By contrast, only expression of Cldn-12, and -15 decreased during osteoblast differentiation. In subsequent studies, we focused on the role of Cldn-1 in osteoblasts as its expression was increased by more than 10 fold during osteoblast differentiation and was found to be regulated by multiple osteoregulatory agents including IGF-1 and Wnt3a. We evaluated the consequence of lentiviral shRNA-mediated knockdown of Cldn-1 on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation using MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblasts. Cldn-1 knockdown caused a significant reduction in MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and ALP activity. Accordingly, expression levels of cyclinD1 and ALP mRNA levels were reduced in Cldn-1 shRNA knockdown cells. We next determined if Cldn-1 regulates the expression of Runx-2 and osterix, master transcription factors of osteoblast differentiation, and found that their levels were reduced significantly as a consequence of Cldn-1 knockdown. Moreover, knocking down Cldn-1 reduced β-catenin level. In conclusion, the expression of Cldn family members during bone cell differentiation is complex and involves cell type and differentiation stage-dependent regulation. In addition, Cldn-1 is a positive regulator of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Emerging multifunctional roles of Claudin tight junction proteins in bone

The imbalance between bone formation and resorption during bone remodeling has been documented to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Recent evidence suggests a significant role for the tight junction proteins, Claudins (Cldns), in the regulation of bone remodeling processes. In terms of function, whereas Cldns act "canonically" as key determinants of paracellular permeability, there is considerable recent evidence to suggest that Cldns also participate in cell signaling, ie, a "noncanonical function". To this end, Cldns have been shown to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression in a variety of cell types. The present review will discuss Cldns' structure, their expression profile, regulation of expression, and their canonical and non- canonical functions in general with special emphasis on bone cells. In order to shed light on the noncanonical functions of Cldns in bone, we will highlight the role of Cldn-18 in regulating bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation. Collectively, we hope to provide a framework for guiding future research on understanding how Cldns modulate osteoblast and osteoclast function and overall bone homeostasis. Such studies should provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, and may highlight Cldns as novel targets for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of osteoporosis.

Polarity of Mature Human Odontoblasts

Odontoblast polarization is based on histological appearance as columnar cells with asymmetric disposition of organelles and plasma membrane domains. However, little is known about the odontoblast plasma membrane organization. We investigated odontoblast membrane polarity using influenza virus hemagglutinin and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein as model proteins in mature human odontoblast organ culture. We also examined the distribution patterns of aquaporin 4 and 5, which are basolateral and apical proteins in epithelial cells, respectively. Confocal microscopy immunofluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrated that the apical markers located at the surface toward pulp and basolateral markers located at the plasma membrane of odontoblast processes. Therefore, odontoblast plasma membrane polarity was different from that in epithelial cells. Also, certain lectins stained odontoblast processes while others stained the soma, reflecting the different natures of their membrane domains. Strong ZO-1 and weaker claudin expression suggest weak tight junctions in the odontoblasts. TGF-β1 showed a tendency to reinstate the expression of selected TJ genes, indicating that TGF-β1 may control odontoblast cell layer integrity by controlling tight junction protein expression.

Odontoblasts in odontogenic tumors

Odontoblasts are secretory cells displaying epithelial and mesenchymal features, which exist in a monolayer at the interface between the dentin and pulp of a tooth. During embryogenesis, these cells form a dentin shell and throughout life continue to produce dentin while, also acting as sensor cells helping to mediate tooth sensitivity. In this process, odontoblasts are forced to migrate inwards, resulting in an ongoing loss of pulp volume. Correspondingly, there is also a decrease in the surface area of the dentin which supports the odontoblast cell layer. As these events transpire, odontoblasts maintain a tightly controlled monolayer relationship to each other as well as to their dentin substrate. Stability is maintained laterally by epithelial attachment structures and transversely by complex cytoplasmic extensions into the supporting dentin. As a result, it is not possible for the layer to buckle to relieve the mechanical stresses, which develop during the inward migration. A theoretical consequence of this distinctive self-generated niche is the development of long term compressive stresses within the odontoblast population. We present a mechanobiology model, which causally relates the increase in cellular compressive stresses to contact inhibition of proliferation. We link this hypothesis to the observation that there are no reports of pulpal odontoblasts showing neoplasia or acquisition of changes suggestive of a pre-neoplastic phenotype.

Claudin expression and tight junction protein localization in the lining epithelium of the keratocystic odontogenic tumors, dentigerous cysts, and radicular cysts

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and localization of tight junction proteins (TJPs) or claudins in the keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) and to correlate with its biological behavior.

STUDY DESIGN

Five claudins (-1, -3, -4, -5, and 7) were examined immunohistochemically in 25 KCOTs and compared with 10 dentigerous cysts (DCs) and 10 radicular cysts (RCs).

RESULTS

Marked claudin-3 loss of expression in KCOT basal layer (n=24/25; 96%) compared with DCs (n=1/10; 10%) and RCs (n=5/10; 50%) (P<.05) suggests that claudin-3 downregulation may indicate altered or loss of basal cell polarity and impaired barrier function of KCOT lining epithelium and this might contribute indirectly to its biological behavior. In contrast, claudins-1, -4, -5, and -7 distribution patterns were less distinctive in all three entities, suggesting that these TJP molecules probably play limited roles in influencing their different growth potentials.

CONCLUSION

Present findings suggest that differential claudin expressions in the lining epithelium of KCOTs, DCs, and RCs probably reflect their neoplastic or nonneoplastic nature.