Expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-8 on the bell-stage in human and rat tooth development / 华西口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of MMP-8 in human and rat tooth development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization of MMP-8 protein while in situ hybridization was used to examine the expression of MMP-8 mRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of MMP-8 protein was localized in odontoblast and dentin matrix at the later bell stage in human tooth germ. The dentin was denser close to the pulp cavity. The expression of MMP-8 mRNA was found in very few polarized odontoblast at the early bell stage and all polarized odontoblast at the later bell stage in rat tooth germ.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested that MMP-8 involved in dentin matrix rebuilding in the process of dentin formation in human and rat dental development.</p>