Dkk-Wnt信号通路在牙齿发育中作用的研究进展

Research progress on the role of Dkk-Wnt signaling pathway on tooth development

哺乳动物的牙齿发育是外胚层上皮与间充质间相互调控和信号交流的结果,其中Dkk-Wnt信号通路是近年来牙胚发育研究领域的热点。Dkk-Wnt信号通路已被证实在牙体形成细胞功能的发挥、牙齿模式化、形态发生、牙冠钙化过程中扮演重要作用。牙齿发生发育分子机制的深入研究,将为牙再生组织工程技术以及相关技术的临床转化提供理论基础。本文就近十年对Wnt信号通路在牙齿发育中所起作用的研究作一综述。

Mammalian tooth development is largely dependent on the sequential and reciprocal epithelial- mesenchymal interaction. Dkk-Wnt signaling pathway has become a hot point in the research field of tooth development. Dkk-Wnt signaling is proved to be critical in the process of tooth-forming cells functioning, tooth patterning, tooth morphogenesis and crown calcification. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms involved in tooth development will surely provide theoretical basis for translational clinical application of tissue engineering strategies such as tooth regeneration. This article is committed to review on the research progress regarding the role of Wnt signaling pathway on tooth devel- opment in recent years.