Fig. 5
Mandible-derived ssc-mir-133b is indispensable in normal tooth formation. E40 premolars were cultured in vitro for 3 days with lentiviruses expressing neg-mir, miR-133b (left) and miR-133b + mcl-1 (right). They were then incubated subcutaneously in the back of nude mice for 12 weeks. a Tooth germs with lentiviruses expressing miR-133b failed to form, while tooth germs with lentiviruses expressing miR-133b + mcl-1 were readily observed 12 weeks after subcutaneous transplantation. b Morphological characteristics under a stereomicroscope. c 3D micro CT images of the negative control and Mcl-1 rescue groups. Tooth width, height of the teeth cups and tooth hardness were calculated for both groups. ***P < 0.001. d Haematoxylin and eosin staining of miR-133b + mcl-1 and neg-mir tooth germs. Scale bar = 200 μm. Dentin (d), dental pulp (DP), and enamel (e). e Status of tooth germ co-cultured with ma’ndible with (left side) and without GW4869 (right side). A red circle represents the transplantation area. f Morphology and amelogenin expression in tooth 12 weeks after co-culture with mandible with or without GW4869. Scale bar = 200 μm
