Figure 7
From: Loss of Stemness, EMT, and Supernumerary Tooth Formation in Cebpb−/−Runx2+/− Murine Incisors
Schematic representation of the role played by Cebpb and Runx2 in odontogenic epithelial stem cells (OESCs). Cebpb acts upstream of SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (Sox2). In cooperation with Oct 3/4 protein (Pou5f1), Sox2 inhibits genes related to differentiation and maintains stemness in OESCs. Cebpb and Runx2 prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of OESCs via snail family zinc finger 2 (Snai2). Both also inhibit biglycan (Bgn), decorin (Dcn) and Bmp4. EMT promotes expression of Sox2 and thus stemness of OESCs. EMT enables disengaged OESCs to develop supernumerary teeth by interaction with various mesenchymal stem cells such as dental MSCs.
