Volume 52 (1): 131-140, 2004 Copyright ©The Histochemical Society, Inc. Phenotypic Changes in Dentition of Runx2 Homozygote-null Mutant Mice
Institute of Biotechnology, Viikki Biocenter, University of Helsinki, Finland (TÅ,XW,JWS,IT); Department of Orthodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (AC,JSG,RND); and Department of Oral Cell Biology, ACTA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (ALJJB) Correspondence to: Rena N. D'Souza, DDS, PhD, Dept. of Orthodontics, Dental Branch, Room 365, U. of Texas Health Science Center, 6516 MD Anderson Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: Rena.N.DSouza{at}uth.tmc.edu
Genetic and molecular studies in humans and mice indicate that Runx2 (Cbfa1) is a critical transcriptional regulator of bone and tooth formation. Heterozygous mutations in Runx2 cause cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), an inherited disorder in humans and mice characterized by skeletal defects, supernumerary teeth, and delayed eruption. Mice lacking the Runx2 gene die at birth and lack bone and tooth development. Our extended phenotypic studies of Runx2 mutants showed that developing teeth fail to advance beyond the bud stage and that mandibular molar organs were more severely affected than maxillary molar organs. Runx2 (-/-) tooth organs, when transplanted beneath the kidney capsules of nude mice, failed to progress in development. Tooth epithelialmesenchymal recombinations using Runx2 (+/+) and (-/-) tissues indicate that the defect in mesenchyme cannot be rescued by normal dental epithelium. Finally, our molecular analyses showed differential effects of the absence of Runx2 on tooth extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression. These data support the hypothesis that Runx2 is one of the key mesenchymal factors that influences tooth morphogenesis and the subsequent differentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts. (J Histochem Cytochem 52:131139, 2004)
Key Words: Runx2 odontogenesis knockout mice phenotypic analysis epithelialmesenchymal interactions matrix gene expression cleft palate eyelid opening
IN RECENT YEARS, considerable progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control tooth morphogenesis. Among the several growth factors and transcription factors implicated in the signaling events that lead to the establishment of tooth form, Runx2 or Cbfa1 is one of the most intriguing. This transcription factor is one of the mouse homologues of the Drosophila runt protein family, a small group of highly conserved differentiation factors that are characterized by a DNA-binding runt domain. Genetic and molecular studies have shown that Runx2 plays a key role in osteogenesis by serving as an early transcriptional regulator of osteoblast differentiation and a modulator of gene expression in mature osteoblasts (for review see Yamaguchi et al. 2000
Humans with mutations in RUNX2 (CBFA1) exhibit cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), an autosomal dominant disorder defined by several skeletal and dental defects. Driven by an interest in understanding the pathogenesis involving dentition in human CCD, we recently described the patterns of Runx2 expression during normal mouse tooth development. Our data indicated that Runx2 expression is spatially restricted to dental papilla mesenchyme at that stages precede crown development and is markedly downregulated after morphogenesis is complete (D'Souza et al. 1999 The objectives of these studies were to provide further insights into the alterations in dentition of Runx2 (-/-) mice. We have extended our phenotypic studies of tooth development in Runx2 mutant mice using histomorphometric approaches. In addition, we have evaluated the developmental capacity of Runx2 mutant tooth organs when transplanted beneath the kidney capsules of nude mice and have performed cultures of tooth epithelialmesenchymal recombinations using Runx2 (+/+) and (-/-) tissues. Finally, to assess the phenotypic changes in cytodifferentiation, we performed molecular assays for the study of tooth extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression. Collectively, our data support the conclusion that Runx2 is a key mesenchymal factor that influences the morphogenetic patterning of dental epithelium and the subsequent morphodifferentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts, cells responsible for the formation of enamel and dentin matrices, respectively. Intriguingly, the absence of Runx2 showed differential effects on the expression levels of dentin matrix genes.
Tissues for Histological and Molecular Analyses Breeding pairs of mice heterozygous for Runx2 were initially obtained from Dr. Michael Owen (London, UK) and was used to generate Runx2 wild-type (+/+), heterozygous (+/-) and homozygous mutant (-/-) embryos for the studies described below. Original reports describing the phenotype of Runx2 homozygote-null mutants used the identical strain of mice (Otto et al. 1997
Tissue Culture and Kidney Capsule Transplants
In Situ Hybridization
RT-PCR Analysis of Dentin ECM Gene Expression
Our previous analysis of the Runx2 mutant phenotype was preliminary and was performed on restricted material (D'Souza et al. 1999
Runx2 Is Needed for the Progress of the Molar Organ from the Bud to the Cap Stage
Runx2 Mutant Molar Organs Show the Presence of Accessory Buds
Results of our more detailed histologic analyses revealed that Runx2 is needed for the bud-to-cap stage transition and for the development of a morphologically distinct enamel knot. The absence of functional Runx2 causes failure to form the epithelial cervical loops and mesenchymal dental papilla. In addition, Runx2 apparently prevents epithelial budding at the lingual aspect of wild-type tooth germs.
Absence of Runx2 Affects Development of Mandibular Molars More Severely Than Maxillary Molars
Other Craniofacial Abnormalities in Runx2 (-/-) Mice
The Primary Defect in Runx2 (-/-) Tooth Organs Resides in the Dental Mesenchyme and Cannot be Rescued In Vivo
Differential Effects on Tooth ECM Gene Expression Because incisors were less severely affected than molar organs in Runx2 (-/-) mice (D'Souza et al. 1999 1(I) collagen gene expression in newly differentiated odontoblasts as well as in osteoblasts in surrounding bone of newborn Runx2 (+/+) incisors (Figure 3A)
. Runx2 (-/-) incisors showed 1(I) collagen labeling in putative odontoblasts but not in surrounding connective tissue, where osteogenesis would normally occur (Figure 3B). As expected, a strong signal for Dspp was seen in newly differentiated odontoblasts and a group of ameloblasts within an Runx2 (+/+) incisor (Figure 3C). In sharp contrast, lower levels of Dspp expression appeared localized to a cluster of putative odontoblasts in an Runx2 (-/-) incisor (Figure 3D). Expression of Dmp1 and OCN appeared markedly downregulated in mutant dental mesenchyme compared to normal littermates. Because the underlying defect in Runx2 (-/-) dental mesenchyme may alter the fate of ectodermal cell differentiation into ameloblasts, we evaluated expression of an ameloblast-specific gene marker, ameloblastin (AM). AM transcripts were visible in putative Runx2 (-/-) ameloblasts and the level of expression was comparable to that noted in a wild-type incisor.
RT-PCR analysis was performed to examine whether the absence of Runx2 affected the expression levels of two major dentin ECM genes, 1(I) collagen and Dspp. Figure 4A
shows no differences in levels of 1(I) collagen transcripts in E14 Runx2 (-/-) molar and incisor organs compared to wild-type littermate controls. At this stage, before the terminal differentiation of odontoblasts in Runx2 (+/+) molars or incisors, Dspp expression is negligible. In Runx2 (-/-) tooth organs, Dspp transcripts are barely visible. A positive control sample of a 21-day-old molar tooth organ showed high levels of Dspp expression. In day 0 molar and incisor Runx2 (-/-) organs, 1(I) collagen gene expression appeared unaltered. In contrast, Dspp transcripts are faintly detectable in mutant molars and incisors compared to Runx2 (+/+) tooth organs, in which high levels of Dspp expression were evident. Expression of GAPDH, a housekeeping gene used as an internal control, remained constant in all RNA samples analyzed in these studies (Figures 4A and 4B).
Analysis of serial sections of Runx2 (-/-) mutant tooth organs revealed failure to advance fully past the bud stage of development. The lack of functional Runx2 disrupted the formation of a morphologically distinct enamel knot and the development of the cervical loop extensions of the ectodermal compartment. Hence, tooth morphogenesis appeared arrested in the transition from the bud to the cap stage. An interesting finding was the development of epithelial buddings, particularly in the maxillary molars. This suggests that the normal function of Runx2 may be to prevent their formation, by either controlling the rate of cell proliferation or the extent of apoptosis. They were seen on the palatal aspect of the tooth germ. This is intriguing, because, in humans and other mammals, succedaneous dentition arises as palatal/lingual extensions of the primary dental lamina. We propose that the extra buddings may have occurred at sites in which the formation of the secondary teeth is normally prevented in mice. This observation in the mouse genetic model of CCD can explain the presence of multiple supernumerary teeth seen fairly consistently in humans affected by the haploinsufficiency of Runx2.
Our extended phenotypic analysis revealed that molars were more severely affected than incisors and that mandibular tooth organs were more phenotypically altered in the absence of Runx2 than their maxillary counterparts. Regional differences in the molecular regulation have been previously noted between the upper and lower molars. In Dlx1/Dlx2 double mutants, only maxillary molars fail to develop (Qiu et al. 1997
To the best of our knowledge, the findings of a cleft palate and early opening of the eyelids in Runx2 mutant embryos have not been previously described. Earlier phenotypic studies of Runx2 mutant embryos and newborn pups did not describe effects on palate or eyelid formation, suggesting that these phenotypic variations may be the result of incomplete penetrance (Komori et al. 1997
An additional goal of this study was to advance our understanding of the role of Runx2 in tooth cytodifferentiation events. Specifically, we sought to determine whether Runx2 influenced odontoblast terminal differentiation events, as measured by morphological criteria and the expression of key dentin matrix genes. Although Runx2 mutant molars arrested before the cap stage, incisors were less severely affected. In the latter, phenotypic changes seen at day 0 involved abnormal odontoblast morphodifferentiation and a highly disorganized and reduced layer of dentin matrix (D'Souza et al. 1999
Our strategy in assessing the molecular basis of the abnormal odontoblast and dentin phenotype was to focus on dentin ECM gene expression since Runx2 binding sites have been identified in the promoter regions of multiple genes that encode for matrix proteins that are common to bone and dentin (for review see Tsuji et al. 1998 The downregulation of Dspp, Dmp1, and OCN seen in Runx2 mutant incisor organs can be interpreted as an arrest in the maturation of odontoblasts. Taken together, our phenotypic analysis suggests that the absence of Runx2 affects the terminal phases of odontoblast differentiation. Further studies are needed to investigate whether abnormal cytodifferentiation is indirectly linked to the lack of competence of dental mesenchyme to respond to epithelial signals or whether Runx2 directly modulates gene expression in odontoblasts. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that Runx2 is an important transcription factor that regulates the bud to cap stage transition during tooth development. Its absence has differential effects on maxillary vs mandibular tooth morphogenesis and more severe effects on molar than on incisor development. Phenotypic changes in palate and eyelid formation suggest additional roles for Runx2 in craniofacial development. Finally, the role of Runx2 in odontoblast differentiation and function remains ill defined. Molecular assays aimed at assessing the direct role of the transcription factor in tooth cytodifferentiation are ongoing and should provide useful insights into the pathways that control the divergence of tooth mesenchyme from osteogenic mesenchyme during development.
Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health DE 11663 (RDS) and DE 013368 (RDS and IT), Academy of Finland and the Sigrid Juselius Foundation (IT), and the Netherlands Institute of Dental Sciences (AB). We thank Riikka Santalahti for excellent technical assistance.
Received for publication June 3, 2003; accepted August 27, 2003
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