Abstract
The role of vitamin D in ameloblasts and odontoblasts has been studied experimentally in rodents. Dental dysplasias have also been reported in clinical studies of children with rickets. Vitamin D acts via a nuclear receptor which binds the major metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and positively or negatively controls the expression of specific genes. The most extensively studied markers of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 action are calbindin-D9k, calbindin-D28k, and osteocalcin. Therefore, to study in more detail the potential role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in human dental development, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor (VDR) was localized by immunofluorescence in forming teeth (8-26 wk of gestation). Calbindin-D28k was also mapped by immunoperoxidase in antenatal and postnatal forming and formed teeth. VDR were detected in both dental epithelium and mesenchyme of bud, cap, and bell stages of tooth germs. Nuclei of overtly differentiated ameloblasts and odontoblasts were also immunostained. Calbindin-D28k was present in differentiated ameloblasts and odontoblasts. The presence of VDR and calbindin-D28k in ameloblasts and odontoblasts suggests that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may contribute to the regulation of enamel and dentin formation, as classically reported for bone formation. Finally, the early appearance of VDR supports the concept that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may also control forward stages of tooth crown development in humans.
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Abbreviations
- 1,25(OH)2D3:
-
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
- VDR:
-
vitamin D receptor
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Acknowledgements
The authors appreciate the important technical assistance of D. Hotton and thank V. Hoffman and M. Ugrenovic for their technical help. We are grateful to P. Blain and C. Fondacci for providing human mandibles. We particularly thank J. Elion (director of INSERM U120 unit) for his continuing support for the dental group.
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Supported by Crinex Laboratories and Faculty of Dental Surgery, Paris VII University. I.B.-F. is a recipient of grants from the Fondation Goupil and an AP-HP award. P.P. is a recipient of a grant from the Fondation de France.
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Bailleul-Forestier, I., Davideau, J., Papagerakis, P. et al. Immunolocalization of Vitamin D Receptor and Calbindin-D28k in Human Tooth Germ. Pediatr Res 39, 636–642 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604000-00013
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604000-00013
