FGF2, FGF3 and FGF4 expression pattern during molars odontogenesis in Didelphis albiventris

• Published in: Acta histochemica Vol. 119; no. 2; pp. 129 - 141
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Íria Gabriela Dias, Jorge, Erika Cristina, Copola, Aline Gonçalves Lio, Bertassoli, Bruno Machado, Goes, Alfredo Miranda de, Silva, Gerluza Aparecida Borges
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Conserved Sequence; Didelphis - growth & development; Didelphis - metabolism; Didelphis albiventris; Female; FGF2; FGF3; FGF4; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - metabolism; Fibroblast Growth Factor 3 - genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factor 3 - metabolism; Fibroblast Growth Factor 4 - genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factor 4 - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Mice; Molar - cytology; Molar - growth & development; Molar - metabolism; Odontogenesis; Tooth development; Immunohistochemistry; FGF; BMP; Tooth development; E; PFA; TBX; FGF2; Didelphis albiventris; FGF3; FGF4; P; BSA; SHH; HE
• ISSN: 0065-1281; 1618-0372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2016.12.001

•D. albiventris is a marsupial with a complete and heterodont dentition.•D. albiventris may be better model for odontogenesis studies than rodents.•The morphology of dental structures is similar between D. albiventris and mice.•FGFs 2–4 are expressed in more dental structures in D. albiventris.•FGFs 2–4 may have broader functions during the development of opossums tooth. Odontogenesis is guided by a complex signaling cascade in which several molecules, including FGF2–4, ensure all dental groups development and specificity. Most of the data on odontogenesis derives from rodents, which does not have all dental groups. Didelphis albiventris is an opossum with the closest dentition to humans, and the main odontogenesis stages occur when the newborns are in the pouch. In this study, D. albiventris postnatals were used to characterize the main stages of their molars development; and also to establish FGF2, FGF3 and FGF4 expression pattern. D. albiventris postnatals were processed for histological and indirect immunoperoxidase analysis of the tooth germs. Our results revealed similar dental structures between D. albiventris and mice. However, FGF2, FGF3 and FGF4 expression patterns were observed in a larger number of dental structures, suggesting broader functions for these molecules in this opossum species. The knowledge of the signaling that determinates odontogenesis in an animal model with complete dentition may contribute to the development of therapies for the replacement of lost teeth in humans. This study may also contribute to the implementation of D. albiventris as model for Developmental Biology studies.