Transforming growth factor-beta1 expression is up-regulated in maturation-stage enamel organ and may induce ameloblast apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) regulates a variety of cellular responses that are dependent on the developmental stage and on the origins of the cell or the tissue. In mature tissues, and especially in tissues of epithelial origin, TGF-beta1 is generally considered to be a growth inhibitor that may also promote apoptosis. The ameloblast cells of the enamel organ epithelium are adjacent to and responsible for the developing enamel layer on unerupted teeth. Once the enamel layer reaches its full thickness, the tall columnar secretory-stage ameloblasts shorten, and a portion of these maturation-stage ameloblasts become apoptotic. Here we investigate whether TGF-beta1 plays a role in apoptosis of the maturation-stage ameloblasts. We demonstrate in vitro that ameloblast lineage ce

SUBMITTER: Tsuchiya M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2711557 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature