Dental and periodontal phenotypes of Dlx2 overexpression in mice

Mol Med Rep. 2017 May;15(5):2443-2450. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6315. Epub 2017 Mar 10.

Abstract

Distal-less homeobox 2 (Dlx2) is a member of the homeodomain family of transcription factors and is important for the development of cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs)‑derived craniofacial tissues. Previous studies revealed that Dlx2 was expressed in the cementum and a targeted null mutation disrupted tooth development in mice. However, whether Dlx2 overexpression may impair in vivo tooth morphogenesis remains to be elucidated. The present study used a transgenic mouse model to specifically overexpress Dlx2 in neural crest cells in order to identify the dental phenotypes in mice by observation, micro‑computed tomography and histological examination. The Dlx2‑overexpressed mice exhibited tooth abnormalities including incisor cross‑bite, shortened tooth roots, increased cementum deposition, periodontal ligament disorganization and osteoporotic alveolar bone. Therefore, Dlx2 overexpression may alter the alveolar bone, cementum and periodontal ligament (PDL) phenotypes in mice.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Organogenesis / physiology*
  • Periodontium / embryology*
  • Tooth / embryology*
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Distal-less homeobox proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Transcription Factors