Remodeling dynamics in the alveolar process in skeletally mature dogs.

Bone turnover rates can be altered by metabolic and mechanical demands. Due to the difference in the pattern of loading, we hypothesized that there are differences in bone remodeling rates between the maxillary and mandibular alveolar processes. Furthermore, in a canine model, the alveolar process of teeth that lack contact (e.g., second premolars) would have a different turnover rate than bone supporting teeth with functional contact (e.g., first molars). Six skeletally mature male dogs were given a pair of calcein labels. After sacrifice, specimens representing the anterior and posterior locations of both jaws were prepared for examination by histomorphometric methods to evaluate the bone volume/total volume (BV/TV; %), bone volume (mm2), mineral apposition rate (MAR; microm/day), and bone formation rate (BFR; %/year) in the alveolar process. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the BV/TV within the jaws. The bone volume within the alveolar process of the mandible was 2.8-fold greater than in the maxilla. The MAR was not significantly different between the jaws and anteroposterior locations. However, the BFR was significantly (P<0.0001) greater in the mandible than in the maxilla. The anterior location had higher (P=0.002) remodeling than the posterior location in the maxilla but not in the mandible. While there was a greater bone mass and increased remodeling in the mandible, no remodeling gradient in the coronal-apical direction was apparent in the alveolar process. Bone adaptation probably involves a complex interplay of bone turnover, mass, and architecture.

The impact of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated inflammation on scarless fetal wound healing.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the prostaglandin products generated as a result of COX-2 activity mediate a variety of biological and pathological processes. Scarless healing occurs in fetal skin in the first and second trimesters of development. This scarless healing process is known to proceed without a significant inflammatory response, which appears to be important for the lack of scarring. Because the COX-2 pathway is an integral component of inflammation, we investigated its role in the fetal repair process using a mouse model of scarless fetal wound healing. COX-2 expression in scarless and fibrotic fetal wounds was examined. In addition, the ability of exogenous prostaglandin E(2) to alter scarless fetal healing was evaluated. The results suggest that the COX-2 pathway is involved in scar production in fetal skin and that targeting COX-2 may be useful for limiting scar formation in adult skin.

Cross-talk between the receptor tyrosine kinases Ron and epidermal growth factor receptor.

Heterogeneous receptor-receptor interactions may play a role in intracellular signaling. Accordingly, the interaction of two dissimilar tyrosine kinase receptors, Ron and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was investigated. The functional interaction of Ron and EGFR in cell scatter and oncogenic transformation was investigated in vivo. Transfection of a dominant negative form of EGFR into human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing Ron (293-Ron) dramatically reduced the scatter response induced by the Ron ligand hepatocyte growth factor-like protein/macrophage stimulating protein (HGFL). The scatter response of the 293-Ron cells was also attenuated by treatment of the cells with the specific EGFR inhibitor AG 1478. Co-transfection of Ron and dominant-negative EGFR, or co-transfection of EGFR and a dominant-negative form of Ron reduced focus formation in NIH/3T3 cells. Western analysis of NIH/3T3 cells overexpressing murine Ron and expressing endogenous levels of EGFR was used to demonstrate that Ron and EGFR co-immunoprecipitate. Stimulation of the cells in vitro with the Ron ligand HGFL or with the EGFR ligand epidermal growth factor (EGF) appeared to induce phosphorylation of both receptors. Co-immunoprecipitation and phosphorylation of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) was also observed. This novel finding of a functional and biochemical interaction between Ron and EGFR suggests that heterologous tyrosine kinase receptor interactions may play a role in cellular processes such as scatter and transformation.