Models for the Study of Cementogenesis

Cementum is a mineralized tissue that acts to connect the periodontal ligament to the tooth root surface. Its composition is very much like bone, being comprised mainly of type I collagen, inorganic mineral and noncollagenous proteins, however the origin of the cells and factors necessary for cementum formation have yet to be elucidated. Our laboratory has focused on the role that adhesion molecules, and their cell surface receptors, play in the formation of cementum and tooth root. In order to study this, we used a mouse molar as a model system. This system enabled us to study the formation of four distinct mineralized tissues; bone, cementum, dentin and enamel at various stages of their development. For these studies, we initiated experiments to examine potential cementoblast progenitor cells, in vitro. As a first step, we show that dental papilla and dental follicle cells, n vitro, obtained from molar tissues at day 21 of development, induce mineralized nodules, in vitro. In addition, we obtained tissues from mice where defects in root development may exist and determined bone sialoprotein (BSP) protein expression, a mineralized tissue specific adhesion molecule, in such tissues. As discussed here, we found that osteopetrotic (op/op) mice have delayed and/or defective root development and BSP does not localize in the dental tissues, at day 33 of development. In addition, dentin formation was defective and odontoblasts appeared immature, based on morphological examination. In contrast, the day 33 control molars demonstrated positive staining for BSP localized to root cementum, with normal formation of dentin.