Publication
Title
Caspase-7 in molar tooth development
Author
Abstract
Objectives: The primary enamel knot (PEK) is a population of cells that shows spatio-temporal restricted apoptosis during tooth development. It has been shown that caspase-9 and Apaf-1 are essential for apoptosis in the PEK as well as the central caspase-3. Caspase-7, as another executioner member in the caspase machinery, is considered to have caspase-3 like properties. Design: The aim of this study was to detect caspase-7 activation during molar tooth development with a special focus on the cells of the PEK and to correlate the expression with the pattern of apoptosis and caspase-3 activation. Apoptosis in the PEK was investigated in caspase-7 deficient mice to examine the functional consequence of loss of this specific caspase. In addition, odontoblasts and ameloblasts, which are known to undergo cell death during their secretory and maturation stages, were investigated. Results: Cleaved caspase-7 was found in the apoptotic region of the PEK, however, caspase-7-deficient mice still possessed apoptotic cells in the PEK in a similar distribution to the wild type. Caspase-7 is therefore not essential for apoptosis in the PEK. Notably, cleaved caspase-7-positive cells were found at later stages in odontoblasts and ameloblasts, but expression did not correlate with apoptosis in these tissues. Conclusions: The results indicate a non-essential apoptotic role of caspase-7 in the PEK apoptosis but suggest also possible non-apoptotic functions for caspase-7 in tooth development. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Archives of oral biology. - London
Publication
London : 2012
ISSN
0003-9969
DOI
10.1016/J.ARCHORALBIO.2012.06.009
Volume/pages
57 :11 (2012) , p. 1474-1481
ISI
000312047200004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 18.10.2018
Last edited 25.01.2023
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