HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Appendix Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (11) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sena, K. Articles by Ishikawa, I. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sena, K. Articles by Ishikawa, I.

Gene Expression of Growth Differentiation Factors in the Developing Periodontium of Rat Molars

¹ Periodontology and
² Biostructural Science, Department of Hard Tissue Engineering, Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan;

*corresponding author, sena.peri{at}tmd.ac.jp

Growth and differentiation factors (GDF) 5, 6, and 7 are known to play roles in tendon and ligament formation, and are therefore probably involved in the formation of periodontal ligament. In this study, we sought to determine temporal and spatial expression of GDF-5, -6, and -7 mRNA in developing periodontal tissue of rat molars using in situ hybridization. GDF gene expression in the periodontal ligament was first detected in cells associated with the initial process of periodontal ligament fiber bundle formation. Gene signals were also detected in cells located along the alveolar bone and cementum surfaces, the insertion sites of periodontal ligaments, during the course of root formation. GDF expression in these cells were down-regulated after completion of root formation. Our results appeared to suggest the involvement of GDF-5, -6, and -7 in the formation of the dental attachment apparatus.

KEY WORDS: growth and differentiation factor (GDF) -5-6and -7 • in situ hybridization • developing periodontium