Bovine bone morphogenetic protein-induced dentinogenesis.

Abstract

Differentiation of odontoblasts is important for dentin formation in tooth germs and mature teeth. Although previous reports have indicated that there may be a kind of inductive agent that could induce mesenchymal cells in dental pulps to differentiate into odontoblasts, and secrete dentin matrix, the primary inductive factor of odontoblasts has not been found. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), which induces the formation of cartilage and bone when implanted in muscle tissue, is found in dentin matrix. The relationship between the differentiation of odontoblasts and BMP was observed by means of immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody (MAb) against BMP in dental pulp tissue and cell culture; [3H]thymidine incorporation; and measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity. The conclusions are: (1) BMP exists in odontoblasts, ameloblasts, and dentin matrix (the positive reaction in ameloblasts appeared earlier and remained stronger); (2) BMP promotes incorporation of [3H]thymidine and increases the activity of alkaline phosphatase in cultured dental pulp cells; (3) BMP-induced dental pulp cells in dental pulp tissue cultures differentiate from mesenchymal to odontoblast-like cells; and (4) BMP induces formation of osteodentin and tubular dentin when used as a dental capping agent of dogs' teeth. Bone morphogenetic protein plays an important role in differentiation of odontoblasts and might be one of the inductive agents of odontoblasts. Further investigations of BMP as a biologic dental capping agent are warranted.