Quantitative Expression of PHEX Protein during the Differentiation of Odontoblasts in Mouse

Objective: To study the quantitative expression and possible biological effects of PHEX protein during the differentiation of odontoblasts in mouse.Methods: Tooth germs at different stages were prepared.Immumohistochemistry was selected to examine the expression of PHEX protein in odontoblasts.Positive signals in odontoblasts were measured and analyzed statistically.Results: The results showed that PHEX protein was mainly expressed in the mature odontoblasts.Horally,PHEX expression was hardly observed in the undifferentiated cells of dental papilla during cap stage(E16).Weak positive signals were found in the dental papilla cells adjunct to basement during the bell satge(E18).Mature odontoblasts strongly expressed PHEX protein during the stage of dentin and enamel formation(P5).Spatially,almost negative expression was found in the undifferentiated cells of dental papilla in cervical loop.However,PHEX was highly expressed in mature odontoblasts in the future dental cusp(P5).Conclusion: Expression of PHEX features temporospatially distributed.PHEX participates the differentiation of odontoblasts and might play an important role in the mineralization of dentin.