Expression of cbfa1 proteins during mouse tooth development

AIM:To observe the expression of cbfa1 proteins during mouse tooth development.METHODS: Immunohistochemical techniques were applied to observe the expression with self-made antibody.RESULTS: Cbfa1 proteins was detected both in dental epithelium, mesenchyme and in dental sac during cap stage germs. It was upregulated in ameloblasts and downregulated in dental mesenchyme during bell stage germs, but was found in dental papilla cells under odontoblasts. During secretion stage, there were no cbfa1 proteins in odontoblasts and few cbfa1 positive signals in dental papilla. But it was strongly expressed in ameloblasts and dental alveolar cells at the same time. CONCLUSION: It inferred that cbfa1 might play a key role during tooth development especially during the differentiation of odontoblasts and ameloblasts.