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Biomedical subjects

D Septier

Publications and source records attributed to D Septier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Amelogenin gene splice products A+4 and A-4 implanted in soft tissue determine the reorientation of CD45-positive cells to an osteo-chondrogenic lineage.

Several molecules such as bone morphogenetic protein-7, bone sialoprotein (BSP), or amelogenin gene splice products (A+4 or A-4) have been shown to induce reparative dentin formation in a rat model. However, at the moment, the origin and the mechanism of differentiation of the pulp cells stimulated by the bioactive molecules remain poorly understood. The present investigation was undertaken to validate an ectopic oral mucosal mouse model to evaluate the effects of amelogenin gene splice product implantation in a non-mineralizing tissue. Agarose beads, alone or coated with amelogenin gene splice products, were implanted in the mucosa of the cheeks in mouse. An immunohistochemical characterization of the recruited cells was undertaken for 3 days, 8 days, and 30 days after the implantation. The results showed that the implantation of agarose beads in mucosa induced the recruitment of inflammatory CD45 positive cells. When the beads were coated with amelogenin gene splice products (A+4 or A-4), the expression of osteo-chondrogenic markers (RP59, Sox9, or BSP) was also observed. However, no mineralization nodule was observed, even after 30 days of implantation. The present investigation suggests that amelognin gene splice products have the capacity of recruiting among inflammatory cell mesenchymal progenitors that eventually differentiate into osteo-chondrogenic cells. Altogether, the results obtained in the pulp model and the present data suggest the existence of different pathways of cell recruitment and differentiation in different cellular environments.

Absorbable Implants↗

Dentin alteration of deciduous teeth in human hypophosphatemic rickets.

Familial hypophosphatemic rickets is in most cases transmitted as an X-linked dominant trait and results from mutation of the PHEX gene, predominantly expressed in osteoblast and odontoblast. Patients have been reported to display important dentin defects, and therefore, we explored the dentin structure, composition, and distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules in hypophosphatemic human deciduous teeth. Compared to age-matched controls, the dentin from hypophosphatemic patients exhibited major differences: presence of large interglobular spaces resulting from the lack of fusion of calcospherites in the circumpulpal dentin; defective mineralization in the interglobular spaces contrasting with normal Ca-P levels in the calcospherites on X-ray microanalysis; abnormal presence of low-molecular weight protein complexes recognized on Western blots by antibodies against matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE), dentin sialoprotein, osteopontin, and reduced osteocalcin (OC) level; and accumulation in the interglobular spaces of immunolabeling with antibodies against DSP, dentin matrix protein, bone sialoprotein, MEPE and OC, while chondroitin/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycans were exclusively located inside calcospherites. Alterations of the post-translational processing or partial degradation of some ECM appear as key factors in the formation of the defective hypophosphatemic dentin.

Child↗

Elastin changes during chronological and photo-ageing: the important role of lysozyme.

Cutaneous ageing, as a result of combined chronological and photo-ageing in sun-exposed areas, is accompanied by major modifications of the elastic fibres. We aimed to investigate qualitative and quantitative changes of dermal elastin fibres during cutaneous chronological and photo-ageing and the involvement of lysozyme in these processes. Morphological, age-related changes and variations in the relative elastin content in sun-protected (buttock) and sun-exposed (forearm and face) skin of healthy volunteers were studied (145 samples). The deposition of lysozyme in elastin fibres was studied using light and immuno-electron microscopy and taking into consideration the relative efficacy of different UV wavebands (UVA or SSR (solar simulated radiation)). Our studies also included the proteolytic degradation of elastin by human leucocyte elastase (HLE) in situ. Our results indicate a reduction of elastin content with age in sun-protected and sun-exposed skin, associated for the latter with high elastin content, resulting in elastosis. Total UVA (320-400 nm), and in particular long wave UVA (UVA-1, 340-400 nm), induces lysozyme deposition in elastin fibres to a higher extent than solar simulated radiation (SSR, 280-400 nm). Immuno-electron microscopy revealed lysozyme association with the electron-dense granular amorphous elastin structures, corresponding to a basophilic degeneration induced by sun exposure. Lysozyme has no elastolytic activity in situ; however, its binding to elastin limits elastin degradation by human leucocyte elastase (HLE). In addition, a direct inhibitory effect of lysozyme on HLE was observed. Our data suggest that lysozyme prevents elastin degradation by HLE after binding to the damaged parts of the elastin network and by direct lysozyme-HLE interaction, which reduces HLE proteolytic activity. These observations contribute to a better understanding of the chronological and photo-induced changes of the dermal elastic network.

Adult↗

Targeted disruption of two small leucine-rich proteoglycans, biglycan and decorin, excerpts divergent effects on enamel and dentin formation.

Small leucine-rich proteoglycans have been suggested to affect mineralization of dental hard tissues. To determine the functions of two of these small proteoglycans during the early stages of tooth formation, we characterized the dental phenotypes of biglycan (BGN KO) and decorin deficient (DCN KO) mice and compared them to that of wild type mice. Each targeted gene disruption resulted in specific effects on dentin and enamel formation. Dentin was hypomineralized in both knock out mice, although the effect was more prominent in the absence of decorin. Enamel formation was dramatically increased in newborn biglycan knockout mice but delayed in absence of decorin. Increased enamel formation in the former case resulted from an upregulation of amelogenin synthesis whereas delayed enamel formation in the later case was most probably an indirect consequence of the high porosity of the underlying dentin. Enamelin expression was unchanged in BGN KO, and reduced in DCN KO. Dentin sialoprotein (DSP), a member of the family of phosphorylated extracellular matrix proteins that play a role in dentinogenesis, was overexpressed in BGN-KO odontoblasts and in the sub-odontoblastic layer. In contrast, a decreased expression of DSP was detected in DCN KO. Dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) were upregulated in BGN KO and downregulated in the DCN KO. Despite the strong effects induced by these deficiencies in newborn mice, no significant difference was detected between the three genotypes in adult mice, suggesting that the effects reported here in newborn mice are transient and subjected to self-repair.

Amelogenin↗

Is the lingual forming part of the incisor a structural entity? Evidences from the fragilitas ossium (fro/fro) mouse mutation and the TGFbeta1 overexpressing transgenic strain.

Our objective was to study the teeth of a mutant mice fro/fro that display severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta. One day and 8 week-old fro/fro and +/fro heterozygote mice (wild type, WT) were processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. The genetic defect, shown to be located on chromosome 8, induced alveolar bone and teeth hypomineralisation. Due to defective cell proliferation in the fro/fro, the distal growth of the mandibular incisors was impaired. Immunolabelling revealed an increase of chondroitin/dermatan sulphate, whereas no difference was detected in dental tissues for decorin and biglycan. Amelogenin expression was decreased in the incisor and enhanced in the molar. Dentin sialoprotein was below the level of detection in the fro/fro, whereas osteonectin and osteopontin were unchanged. The main target of the mutation was seen in the lingual part of the incisor near the apex where dentine formation was delayed. In the molars, bulbous roots with obliteration of the pulp chamber were seen. In the TGFbeta1 overexpressing mice, the lingual root-analogue part of the incisor was missing. In the molar, short roots, circumpulpal dentine of the osteodentine type and pulp obliteration were seen. It may be noted that, although the mutant and transgenic strains mutations are two different genetic alterations not related to the same defective gene, in both cases the expression of the dentin sialoprotein is altered. Altogether, the present data suggest that the lingual forming part of the incisor seems to be an anatomical entity bearing its own biological specificities.

Amelogenin↗

Proteoglycans in predentin: the last 15 micrometers before mineralization.

Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) regulate extracellular matrix organization. In order to investigate the distribution and potential functions of decorin, biglycan (BGN), and fibromodulin (3 SLRPs, potentially related to dentinogenesis), we performed light and electron immunochemistry on teeth from rats, and on wild-type and biglycan knockout mice (BGN KO). Immunohistochemical data demonstrate that chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) and keratan sulfate (KS) distributions displayed reverse gradients in predentin. The decrease of CS/DS labeling from the proximal to the distal predentin contrasted with the sharp decorin increase observed in the distal predentin near the predentin/dentin transition, an effect possibly attributable to the deglycosylation action of stromelysin-1. In contrast, BGN concentration was apparently constant throughout the whole predentin. Additional immunolabelings showed, for the first time, the presence of fibromodulin in predentin. Compared with the wild-type mouse, the mean diameter of collagen fibrils in the BGN KO was smaller in the proximal predentin but larger in the central and distal predentin, the metadentin was broader, and the dentin mineralization appeared altered and heterogeneous. Altogether, our data suggest an important role for BGN in dentin formation and mineralization.

Animals↗

Ultrastructure of forming enamel in mouse bearing a transgene that disrupts the amelogenin self-assembly domains.

The mouse X-chromosomal amelogenin gene promoter was used to drive the expression of mutated amelogenin proteins in vivo. Two different transgenic mouse lines based on deletions to either the amino-terminal (A-domain deletions) or to the carboxyl-region (B-domain deletions) were bred. In the molars of newborn A-domain deleted transgenic mice the formation of the initial layer of aprismatic enamel was delayed. There were severe structural alterations in the enamel of incisors of newborn mice bearing the A-domain deletion which were not apparent in animals bearing the B-domain deletion. In the A-domain-deleted animals, stippled material accumulated throughout the entire thickness of the forming enamel apparently causing a disruption of the normal rod-to-inter-rod relationship. This stippled material was likened to and interpreted as being groupings of amelogenin nanospheres. In the B-domain-deleted animals the stippled material was detected only in minute defects of the forming enamel. These data suggest significant differences in nanosphere assembly properties for animals bearing either the A-domain or the B-domain-deleted transgene. The present in vivo experimental approach suggests that at early stages of enamel formation, the A-domain plays a greater role than does the B-domain in amelogenin self-assembly, and consequently in enamel architecture and structure.

Amelogenesis↗

Human dermal and gingival fibroblasts in a three-dimensional culture: a comparative study on matrix remodeling.

Free-floating collagen lattice is considered a useful tool for assessing wound healing in vitro. This work compared extracellular matrix remodeling in collagen lattices populated by gingival or dermal fibroblasts. For 21 days we followed gel contraction and changes in cell number of collagen lattices seeded with l.5 x 10(5) fibroblasts of each tissue. We also used indirect immunodetection to study extracellular matrix components, metalloproteinases (MMPs), and their tissues inhibitors (TIMPs). In addition, the presence of MMPs and TIMPs in the culture media was analyzed by zymography and western blotting. No significant difference was found concerning gel contraction and changes in cell number. We observed the early expression of fibrillin I and collagen type III, apparently codistributed and at the end of the gel contraction their disappearance. Concomitantly we demonstrated the expression of MMPs and TIMPs, initially localized in cellular cytoplasm, then spreading in the extracellular compartment, and even found in the culture medium. This remodeling was more rapid and intense with gingival fibroblasts than dermal fibroblasts. In conclusion, gingival fibroblasts seem more efficient at remodeling the connective tissue than dermal fibroblasts and could lead to the better wound healing observed in vivo.

Adolescent↗

The dentino-enamel junction revisited.

The dentino-enamel junction is not an simple inert interface between two mineralized structures. A less simplistic view suggests that the dentino-enamel junctional complex should also include the inner aprismatic enamel and the mantle dentin. At early stages of enamel formation, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 is stored in and released from the inner aprismatic enamel, possibly under the control of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3. The concentration peak for MMP-2 and -9 observed in the mantle dentin coincided with a very low labeling for TIMP-1 and -2, favoring the cross-talk between mineralizing epithelial and connective structures, and as a consequence the translocation of enamel proteins toward odontoblasts and pulp cells, and vice versa, the translocation of dentin proteins toward secretory ameloblasts and cells of the enamel organ. Finally, in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, large interglobular spaces in the circumpulpal dentin were the major defect induced by the gene alteration, whereas the mantle dentin was constantly unaffected. Altogether, these data plead for the recognition of the dentino-enamel junctional complex as a specific entity bearing its own biological characteristics.

Aging↗

TEM observations on the ameloblast/enamel interface in the rat incisor.

The structure of rat incisor enamel is established at the topographically complex interface between secretory ameloblasts and forming enamel. The aim of this study was to gain additional information on this interface by sectioning parallel with the rows and the long axis of Tomes' processes and prisms. Rats were sacrificed and fixed by glutaraldehyde/paraformaldehyde perfusion. After dissection, demineralization and embedding transverse jaw/incisor segments were cut, reembedded, and reoriented. Sections were prepared for and observed in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The intraenamel part of Tomes' process was about 18 microns long. The forming prism occupied a longitudinally grooved invagination on its apical aspect. The parts of Tomes' process forming the side walls of the groove were attenuated and showed variation in extent and outline. Prism growth occurred over the whole grooved area. An estimation of Tomes' process secretory area in rat compared with data from humans suggests that there may be a relationship between secretory area and rate of prism formation. Prism crystals were oriented obliquely or parallel to the secretory surface of Tomes' process. At interprism growth sites matrix deposition was irregular and required some redistribution to conform to the pattern of interprism sheets.

Ameloblasts↗

Phospholipids in amelogenesis and dentinogenesis.

Phospholipids have been identified in enamel and dentin. Before demineralization, a group of phospholipids extracted by lipid solvents was associated with cell membranes and is therefore closely related to cell growth and intracellular regulations. After demineralization, a second group of phospholipids, associated with the extracellular matrix, was extracted; this group is probably linked to the mineralized phase. Using imidazole-osmium tetroxide fixation of rat incisors, we stained cellular unsaturated fatty acids, so that we could visualize the membrane domains, coated pits, and endocytic inclusions. Filipin, a probe for cholesterol, varied in density along the plasma membrane of secretory ameloblasts, and allowed us to visualize membrane remnants inside the forming enamel. With respect to phospholipids located in the extracellular matrix, the malachite-green-glutaraldehyde (MGA) method or iodoplatinate (IP) reaction retains and visualizes enamel and dentin phospholipids. In predentin, aggregates appearing as granules and filaments, or liposome-like structures, were located in the spaces between collagen fibrils. In dentin, organic envelopes coating the crystals, also named "crystal-ghost" structures, outlined groups of collagen fibrils. Histochemical data provided evidence that phospholipids are co-distributed or interact with proteoglycans. Radioautography after IP reaction established that [3H] choline was detected in dentin as early as 30 min after the intravenous injection of the labeled precursor, before any labeling was seen in odontoblasts and predentin. This suggests that blood-serum-labeled phospholipids pass between odontoblasts, cross the distal permeable junctional complex, and diffuse in dentin prior to any cellular uptake and phospholipid synthesis. Pharmacologically and genetically induced pathology also supports the suggestion that phospholipids play an important role in the formation and mineralization of dental tissues.

Ameloblasts↗

Immunoelectron microscopic visualization of pro- and secreted forms of decorin and biglycan in the predentin and during dentin formation in the rat incisor.

Using antibodies raised against the proform and fully processed (secreted) forms of the proteoglycans decorin and biglycan, combined with gold electron immunohistochemistry, we observed in the incisors of five Sprague-Dawley rats that the proforms were mostly located in the cell bodies of odontoblasts, with a presence reduced to one-third or one-fourth in the processes. Proforms, also present in the extracellular matrix, were uniformly distributed throughout predentin, with higher labeling for probiglycan than pro-decorin. Both were present in lesser amounts in metadentin and dentin. With respect to the secreted form, grain density was at a constant level for biglycan in predentin and dentin, whereas a gradient was detected for decorin, the grain density being increased three times in the distal predentin. Although decorin labeling was diminished in metadentin, staining in circumpulpal dentin was similar to that found in distal predentin. We have previously reported a reverse gradient for chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate distribution. To reconcile these diverging data, our hypothesis is that enzymatic proteolytic cleavage may remove the glycosylated N-terminal-containing region, resulting in a non- proteoglycan form of the molecule. Although substantial differences in distribution were apparent between the two proteoglycans, increasing interactions between proteoglycans and collagen, facilitated by the cleavage and loss of the N-terminal glycosaminoglycan chain region in the distal predentin, may be a prerequisite for dentin mineralization.

Animals↗

Inositol hexasulphate, a casein kinase inhibitor, alters the distribution of dentin matrix protein 1 in cultured embryonic mouse tooth germs.

Immunohistochemical studies using a polyclonal antibody, raised against the recombinant form of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), show that DMP1 was detected mainly in odontoblasts in cultured mouse embryonic tooth germs. However, in restricted areas, DMP1 staining was also observed in secretory ameloblasts, in the stratum intermedium and stellate reticulum, but only when the odontoblasts located in front of them were unstained. When the embryonic tooth germs were cultured in the presence of inositol hexasulfate, a casein kinase I and II inhibitor, staining of odontoblasts was weak or nil, whereas, in contrast, ameloblasts and enamel organ were strongly immunolabelled, suggesting an enhanced translocation of DMP1 after secretion to the secretory ameloblasts and/or stratum intermedium and stellate reticulum. Moreover, DMP1--was shown to be a good substrate for gelatinase A (MMP-2), but not to gelatinase B (MMP- 9). We hypothesized that DMP1--or the sub-fractions cleaved by the MMP--could behave as diffusible signaling molecule (s) rather than as a true dentin extracellular matrix component.

Ameloblasts↗

Proteoglycans in dentinogenesis.

The predominant proteoglycans present in predentin and dentin are the chondroitin-sulphate-rich decorin and biglycan and the keratan-sulphate-rich lumican and fibromodulin. These are small, interstitial, leucine-rich proteoglycans which have recently been shown to exist in gradients across the predentin. Antibodies recognizing chondroitin sulphate show a decreasing gradient from the pulpal aspect toward the mineralizing front, the converse being true for keratan sulphate. Antidecorin shows an increase toward the mineralization front. Evidence from biochemical, autoradiographic, and immunohistochemical studies implies that such changes may be brought about by gradients of metalloproteinases. This offers the possibility that the proteoglycans organize the collagen network for receipt of phosphoproteins and phospholipids, the former being evident only at the onset of dentin formation. The suggestion is raised that glycosaminoglycan-depleted leucine-rich protein cores act as sequester points for receipt of phosphoproteins in particular. The rigid, spatially oriented glycosaminoglycan chains on decorin and biglycan are known to bind calcium and may feature directly in mineral initiation.

Animals↗

Morphometric analysis of elastic skin fibres from patients with: cutis laxa, anetoderma, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, and Buschke-Ollendorff and Williams-Beuren syndromes.

Computed morphometric analysis of elastic skin fibres in patients with cutis laxa, anetoderma, Williams-Beuren syndrome, pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), and Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, all clinically ascertained, was performed and compared with data obtained from healthy individuals of the same age. The diameters, area fractions (AA%) and volume fractions (VV%) occupied by pre-elastic fibres and dermal elastic fibres were determined. Irrespective of age the diameter of dermal elastic fibres followed a Gaussian distribution for all groups studied. These diameters were taken into consideration for VV% determinations. Compared with data from skin of healthy subjects of similar age range, VV% of pre-elastic fibres was significantly decreased in patients with cutis laxa, anetoderma, Williams-Beuren syndrome, and PXE and undetectable in Buschke-Ollendorff patients. VV% of dermal elastic fibres was four- to fivefold increased in Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, two- to threefold increased in PXE skin, four- to fivefold decreased in cutis laxa and anetoderma skin and about twofold decreased in Williams-Beuren skin. The diameter of oxytalan fibres was decreased in anetoderma and Williams-Beuren syndrome while oxytalan fibre diameter was unchanged in PXE and cutis laxa. The diameter of dermal elastic fibres was increased in PXE and Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, but was decreased in anetoderma and Williams-Beuren syndrome and unchanged in cutis laxa. We demonstrated that cutis laxa, anetoderma, Williams-Beuren syndrome, PXE, and Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome could be easily differentiated by morphometric analysis of elastic skin fibres. Thus we propose that morphometric analyses together with skin biopsies are a valuable tool for distinguishing between inherited and/or acquired skin diseases known to display alterations of elastic fibres.

Adolescent↗

Inositol hexasulphate, a casein kinase inhibitor, alters enamel formation in cultured embryonic mouse tooth germs.

Post-translational modification of enamel proteins is regulated by casein kinases (CK) and results in binding sites for calcium ions that subsequently play a key role during the initial stages of mineralization. Phosphorylation may also influence the secretion and extracellular organization of enamel proteins. Previous studies indicated that inositol hexasulphate inhibited the activity of CK-I and/or CK-II in mouse tooth germs (Torres-Quintana et al., 1998). We hypothesized that inositol hexasulphate would also inhibit the activity of the specific casein kinase(s) identified in secretory ameloblasts, and would prove useful for determination of the extent to which phosphorylation might influence the organization of enamel proteins at early stages of enamel formation. To test this hypothesis, we dissected mandibular first molars from 18-day-old mouse embryos and cultured them for 11 days in the presence of 0-0.1 mM inositol hexasulphate. Ultastructural analysis revealed that the formation of enamel was largely impaired at an inhibitor concentration > or = 0.08 mM. Quantitative radioautographic analysis of [33P]phosphate incorporation indicated that radiolabeled phosphate normally secreted into forming enamel was retained within ameloblasts. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between control and inositol-hexasulphate-treated tooth germs when cultures were labeled with [3H]serine and [3H]proline. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis confirmed that while inositol hexasulphate inhibited CK-mediated phosphorylation, it did not significantly alter protein synthesis. We conclude that impairment of phosphorylation leads to intracellular accumulation of [3H]phosphate-containing material by ameloblasts. We also conclude that when non-phosphorylated enamel matrix proteins are secreted, they are either unable to form an enamel matrix that supports mineralization, or they diffuse throughout a poorly mineralized dentin.

Ameloblasts↗

[3H]choline uptake and turnover into membrane and extracellular matrix phospholipids, visualized by radioautography in rat incisor dentin and enamel.

In order to study the uptake and fate of [3H]choline into cellular and extracellular phospholipids in the forming part of mandibular rat incisors, radioautography was carried out after treatment with the iodoplatinate reaction which retains phospholipids. Thirty minutes and 1 hour after the intravenous injection of the radiolabeled precursor, grain density in secretory odontoblasts and ameloblasts was not significantly above background labeling whereas dentin was actually labeled. Therefore, at this early period, odontoblasts cannot be responsible for the secretion of phospholipids incorporated into dentin, and intercellular diffusion of components originating from blood could explain this early dentin labeling. After 2 hours, odontoblasts and ameloblasts were labeled. In cells, grain density reached a maximum at 4 hours, reduced at 24 hours, and strongly decreased at 4 days. In predentin and enamel, grain density peaked at 24 hours and diminished at 4 days. However, in the forming enamel 4 days after the injection, labeling was twice as high as in any other compartment. Altogether, the results highlighted two distinct pathways for phospholipids in dental mineralized dental tissues: a first one shows evidence of early incorporation of [3H]choline into dentin resulting from intercellular diffusion independently from odontoblasts secretion, whereas inside the forming enamel, higher labeling and longer retention of choline-containing membrane components were detected between 4 hours and 4 days. This suggests an accumulation of membranes that are not subjected to rapid turnover in contrast with other dental compartments.

Ameloblasts↗