Immunohistochemical localization of Galphaq, PLCbeta, Galphai1-2, PKA, and the endothelin B and extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptors during early amelogenesis

Calcium-mediated differentiation of ameloblast lineage cells in vitro

Calcium is a key component of the mineralized enamel matrix, but may also have a role in ameloblast cell differentiation. In this study we used human ameloblast lineage cells to determine the effect of calcium on cell function. Primary human ameloblast lineage cells were isolated from human fetal tooth buds. Cells were treated with calcium ranging from 0.05 to -1.8 mM. Cell morphology was imaged by phase contrast microscopy, and amelogenin was immunolocalized. Proliferation of cells treated with calcium was measured by BrdU immunoassay. The effect of calcium on mRNA expression of amelogenin, Type 1 collagen, DSPP, amelotin, and KLK-4 was compared by PCR analysis. Von Kossa staining was used to detect mineral formation after cells were pretreated with calcium. Calcium induced cell organization and clustering at 0.1 and 0.3 mM concentrations. Increasing concentrations of calcium significantly reduced ameloblast lineage cell proliferation. The addition of 0.1 mM calcium to the cultures upregulated expression of amelogenin, Type I collagen, and amelotin. After pretreatment with 0.3 mM calcium, the cells could form a mineralized matrix. These studies, which utilized human ameloblast lineage cells grown in vitro, showed that the addition of calcium at 0.1 and 0.3 mM, induced cell differentiation and upregulation of amelogenin Type I collagen and amelotin.

Case report of a rare syndrome associating amelogenesis imperfecta and nephrocalcinosis in a consanguineous family

A rare syndrome associating amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) with nephrocalcinosis has been reported. The purpose of this study is to characterise the phenotype of a consanguineous family presenting amelogenesis imperfecta, delayed permanent teeth eruption and nephrocalcinosis. Six family members were examined. Ground sections of the case index deciduous teeth and biopsies of enlarged dental follicles were analysed. The patients's parents were first cousins. The case index had yellow discoloration and altered teeth shapes, retention of deciduous teeth, and delayed eruption. Panoramic radiographs revealed multiple enlarged pericoronal follicles in unerupted teeth and generalised intrapulpal calcifications. Renal ultrasound showed the presence of nephrocalcinosis. No other family members presented enamel defects or nephrocalcinosis. Histologically, the enamel appeared hypoplastic, and dental follicles indicated pericoronal hamartoma. The consanguineous marriage suggests an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Further studies are necessary to clarify the genetic defect behind this syndrome that associates AI, nephrocalcinosis and impaired tooth eruption.

Mitogenic action of calcium-sensing receptor on rat calvarial osteoblasts

The parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) plays a nonredundant role in systemic calcium homeostasis. In bone, Ca(2+)(o), a major extracellular factor in the bone microenvironment during bone remodeling, could potentially serve as an extracellular first messenger, acting via the CaR, that stimulates the proliferation of preosteoblasts and their differentiation to osteoblasts (OBs). Primary digests of rat calvarial OBs express the CaR as assessed by RT-PCR, Northern, and Western blot analysis, and immunocolocalization of the CaR with the OB marker cbfa-1. Real-time PCR revealed a significant increase in CaR mRNA in 5- and 7-d cultures compared with 3-d cultures post harvesting. High Ca(2+)(o) did not affect the expression of CaR mRNA during this time but up-regulated cyclin D (D1, D2, and D3) genes, which are involved in transition from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle, as well as the early oncogenes, c-fos and early growth response-1; high Ca(2+)(o) did not, however, alter IGF-I expression, a mitogenic factor for OBs. The high Ca(2+)(o)-dependent increase in the proliferation of OBs was attenuated after transduction with a dominant-negative CaR (R185Q), confirming that the effect of high Ca(2+)(o) is CaR mediated. Stimulation of proliferation by the CaR involves the Jun-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, as high Ca(2+)(o) stimulated the phosphorylation of JNK in a CaR-mediated manner, and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 abolished CaR-induced proliferation. Our data, therefore, show that the parathyroid/kidney CaR expressed in rat calvarial OBs exerts a mitogenic effect that involves activation of the JNK pathway and up-regulation of several mitogenic genes.

The biochemistry and physiology of metallic fluoride: action, mechanism, and implications

Fluoride is a well-known G protein activator. Activation of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins by fluoride requires trace amounts of Al3+ or Be2+ ions. AlFx mimics a gamma-phosphate at its transition state in a Galpha protein and is therefore able to inhibit its GTPase activity. AlFx also forms complexes with small GTP-binding proteins in the presence of their GTPase-activating proteins (GAP). As phosphate analogs, AlFx or BeFx affect the activity of a variety of phosphoryl transfer enzymes. Most of these enzymes are fundamentally important in cell signal transduction or energy metabolism. Al3+ and F- tend to form stable complexes in aqueous solution. The exact structure and concentration of AlFx depend on the pH and the amount of F- and Al3+ in the solution. Humans are exposed to both F and Al. It is possible that Al-F complexes may be formed in vivo, or formed in vitro prior to their intake by humans. Al-F complexes may play physiological or pathological roles in bone biology, fluorosis, neurotoxicity, and oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The aim of this review is to discuss the basic chemical, biochemical, and toxicological properties of metallic fluoride, to explore its potential physiological and clinical implications.

Identification of the calcium-sensing receptor in the developing tooth organ

Calcium (Ca2+) is a critical component of tooth enamel, dentin, and the surrounding extracellular matrix. Ca2+ also may regulate tooth formation, although the mechanisms for such action are poorly understood. The Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) that is expressed in the parathyroid gland, kidney, bone, and cartilage has provided a mechanism by which extracellular Ca2+ can regulate cell function. Because these tissues play an important role in maintaining mineral homeostasis and because Ca2+ is hypothesized to play a crucial role in tooth formation, we determined whether the CaR was present in teeth. In this study, using immunohistochemistry, CaR protein was detected in developing porcine molars localized in the predentin (pD), early secretory-stage ameloblasts, maturation-stage smooth-ended ameloblasts (SA), and certain cells in the stratum intermedium. CaR protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected also in an immortalized ameloblast-like cell line (PABSo-E) using immunofluorescence, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Northern analysis. Based on the observation that the CaR is expressed in cultured ameloblasts, we determined whether increments in medium Ca2+ concentration could activate the intracellular Ca2+ signal transduction pathway. In PABSo-E cells, increasing extracellular Ca2+ in the medium from 0 (baseline) to 2.5mM or 5.0 mM resulted in an increase in intracellular Ca2+ above baseline to 534 +/- 69 nM and 838 +/- 86 nM, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the CaR is expressed in developing teeth and may provide a mechanism by which these cells can respond to alterations in extracellular Ca2+ to regulate cell function and, ultimately, tooth formation.