eCM (Eur Cell Mater / e Cells & Materials) eCM Open Access Scientific Journal
 ISSN:1473-2262         NLM:100973416 (link)         DOI:10.22203/eCM

2011   Volume No 22 – pages 56-67

Title: Ameloblastin is not implicated in bone remodelling and repair

Author: S Kuroda, R Wazen, K Sellin, E Tanaka, P Moffatt, A Nanci

Address: Laboratory for the Study of Calcified Tissues and Biomaterials, Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard Montpetit, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Room A-212, H3T1J4 Montréal, Québec, Canada


E-mail: antonio.nanci at umontreal.ca

Key Words: Ameloblastin, Bril, bone formation, mechanical stress.

Publication date: July 15th 2011

Abstract: Ameloblastin (AMBN) is an enamel matrix protein produced by ameloblasts. It has been suggested that AMBN might also be implicated in craniofacial bone formation. Our objective was to determine whether AMBN has an effect on osteogenic mineralisation and influences bone remodelling and repair. MC3T3-E1 cells were screened for endogenous expression of enamel proteins using real time PCR. Various osteogenic cells were infected with lentivirus encoding for AMBN and protein expression was verified using immunochemistry. Cultures were stained with alizarin red and mineralisation was quantified. Healing bone was probed for expression of AMBN by DNA microarray analysis. Tooth extraction, experimental tooth movement (ETM), and creation of a non-critical size bone defect in the tibia (BDT) were carried out in wild type and AMBNΔ5-6 mutant mice. Tissues were processed for immunolabelling of AMBN and Bril, an osteoblast specific protein associated with active bone formation. MC3T3-E1 cells and healing bone showed no significant expression of AMBN. Overexpression of AMBN in osteogenic cultures induced no noticeable changes in mineralisation. In wild type mice, AMBN was immunodetected in ameloblasts and enamel, but not in normal bone, and at sites where bone remodelling and repair were induced. Bone remodelling during ETM and BDT repair in AMBNΔ5-6 mice were not significantly different from that in wild type animals. Our results suggest that AMBN does not influence osteogenic activity in vitro under the conditions used, and does not participate in craniofacial bone remodelling under mechanical stress and in repair of non-critical size bone defects.

Article download: Pages 56-67 (PDF file)
DOI: 10.22203/eCM.v022a05