Kimie Ohyama

Common regulation of growth arrest and differentiation of osteoblasts by helix-loop-helix factors.

ABSTRACT Cellular differentiation entails the coordination of cell cycle arrest and tissue-specific gene expression. We investigated the involvement of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors in differentiation of osteoblasts using the human osteoblastic cell line MG63. Serum starvation induced growth arrest at G1 phase, accompanied by expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1. Reporter assays with the p21 gene promoter demonstrated that the combination of E2A (E12 or E47) and coactivator CBP was responsible for p21 induction independent of p53. Twist inhibited E2A-CBP-dependent activation of the exogenous and endogenous p21 promoters. Ids similarly inhibited the exogenously transfected p21 promoter; however less antagonistic effect on the endogenous p21 promoter was observed. Twist was predominantly present in nuclei in MG63 cells growing in complete medium, while it localized mainly in the cytoplasm after serum starvation. The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3), which generates signals leading to differentiation of osteoblasts, was found to be controlled by the same transcriptional regulation as the p21 gene. E2A and Twist influenced alkaline phosphatase expression, a consensus marker of osteoblast differentiation. Expression of E2A and FGFR3 was seen at the location of osteoblast differentiation in the calvaria of mouse embryos, implicating bHLH molecules in physiological osteoblast differentiation. These results demonstrate that a common regulatory system is involved in at least two distinct steps in osteoblastic differentiation. Our results also provide the molecular basis of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, caused by mutations of the TWISTand FGFR3 genes.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Epicardin/Capsulin/Pod-1 Suppresses Differentiation by Negative Regulation of Transcription

Epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1, expressed in skeletal myoblasts within brachial arches and in the condensing mesenchyme, is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family that is involved in various cell differentiation processes. In this study, we examined the functional properties of epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 in differentiation. The yeast and mammalian two-hybrid systems showed physical associations between epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 and E2A, both of which were present in the nuclei. The bHLH domains mediated this association. Ectopic expression of epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 inhibited E2A-dependent activation of the exogenous and endogenous expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor,p21(WAF1/Cip1) gene, and the muscle creatine kinase gene that encodes the predominant creatine kinase isoform expressed in mammalian skeletal muscle. Transfection with epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 small interfering RNA abolished the epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1-mediated suppression of E12-dependent activation of the p21 promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 was physically associated with the muscle creatine kinase promoter in vivo. Moreover, terminal differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts was inhibited by exogenous introduction of epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1. These inhibitory functions of epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 closely resemble those of the bHLH inhibitor Twist protein. These results indicate that epicardin/capsulin/Pod-1 functions as a negative regulator of differentiation of myoblasts through transcription in at least two distinct steps, cell growth arrest and lineage-specific differentiation.

Runx2-deficient mice lack mandibular condylar cartilage and have deformed Meckel's cartilage.

Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor 2) deficient mice lacked the mandibular condylar cartilage and the mandibular bone. The anlage of the condylar process consisted of mesenchymal condensation, which expressed Type I collagen mRNA and alkaline phosphatase activity, but not Type II collagen and aggrecan mRNAs. Therefore, the differentiation of the mandibular condylar cartilage stopped at the preosteoblast (skeletoblast) stage. The lateral pterygoid muscle was attached to this anlage, and relatively abundant mesenchymal condensations were also formed at the muscle-attaching sites, e.g. the anlage of the mandibular body, the angular and coronoid processes. Three-dimensional reconstruction models showed that each mesenchymal condensation was connected to one another, and roughly outlined the shape of the mandible. Meckel’s cartilage in the Runx2-deficient mice had two ectopic cartilaginous processes to which the digastric and myohyoid muscles were attached. These findings indicate that Runx2 is essential for the formation of the mandibular condylar cartilage, as well as for normal development of Meckel’s cartilage and that muscle tissues influence mandible morphology.

Dynamic Analysis of Articulatory Movement Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Movies: Methods and Implications in Cleft Lip and Palate

Objectives To visualize articulatory movement using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) movie of a subject with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and to demonstrate the usefulness of this method for studying oropharyngeal function. Material and Methods Dynamic changes in oropharyngeal structures were assessed with an MRI movie of a man with cleft lip and palate and in a normal adult male volunteer during the articulation of /pa/, /ta/, and /ka/. Results and Conclusions Different movement patterns were observed during articulation in the subject with CLP compared with the normal volunteer. Posterosuperior movement of the tongue and the anterior movement of the posterior pharyngeal wall were clearly visualized in the subject with CLP. Thus, MRI movies appear to be a promising tool for evaluating speech function in patients with CLP because of their noninvasive and nonradiation nature.

Simultaneous Maxillary Distraction Osteogenesis Using a Twin-Track Distraction Device Combined with Alveolar Bone Grafting in Cleft Patients: Preliminary Report of a Technique

The simultaneous use of cleft reduction and maxillary advancement by distraction osteogenesis has not been applied routinely because of the difficulty in three-dimensional control and stabilization of the transported segments. This report describes a new approach of simultaneous bilateral alveolar cleft reduction and maxillary advancement by distraction osteogenesis combined with autogenous bone grafting. A custom-made Twin-Track device was used to allow bilateral alveolar cleft closure combined with simultaneous maxillary advancement, using distraction osteogenesis and a rigid external distraction system in a bilateral cleft lip and palate patient. After a maxillary Le Fort I osteotomy, autogenous iliac bone graft was placed in the cleft spaces before suturing. A latency period of six days was observed before activation. The rate of activation was one mm/d for the maxillary advancement and 0.5 mm/d for the segmental transport. Accordingly, the concave facial appearance was improved with acceptable occlusion, and complete bilateral cleft closure was attained. No adjustments were necessary to the vector of the transported segments during the activation and no complications were observed. The proposed Twin-Track device, based on the concept of track-guided bone transport, permitted three-dimensional control over the distraction processes allowing simultaneous cleft closure, maxillary distraction, and autogenous bone grafting. The combined simultaneous approach is extremely advantageous in correcting severe deformities, reducing the number of surgical interventions and, consequently, the total treatment time.

Osteoclastogenesis during mouse tooth germ development is mediated by receptor activator of NFΚ-B ligand (RANKL)

To accommodate developing tooth germ in the alveolar bone, active bone resorption and the recruitment of numerous osteoclasts are essential. Recently, the signaling of receptor activator of nuclear factor-ΚB (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL) was reported to play a pivotal role in osteoclast formation and activation. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of RANKL and the contribution of RANK-RANKL signaling to the process of tooth germ and alveolar bone development. In situ hybridization showed RANKL was expressed in dental follicle cells and osteoblasts on the alveolar bone surface surrounding developing tooth germs. To elucidate the function of RANKL, mouse mandibular explants on embryonic day 14 were subjected to organ culture with osteoprotegerin (OPG), an inhibitor of RANK-RANKL signaling as a decoy receptor of RANKL. Many tooth germs were compressed with the surrounding bone tissue in the OPG-treated explants, whereas these abnormalities were not seen in untreated explants. The numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclastic cells aligning on the alveolar bone surface were significantly decreased in OPG-treated explants compared with untreated explants. Moreover, TRAP-positive osteoclastic cells were not observed along the alveolar bone surfaces depressing tooth germs. These observations suggest that osteoclastogenesis in the alveolar bone, which is essential for the accommodation of normal tooth development, is mediated by RANK-RANKL signaling.

Attitude of the Canine in Secondary Bone-Grafted and Nongrafted Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective To investigate the eruption pattern of the cleft-side canine regarding its pre-eruption position relative to the cleft in bone-grafted (BG) and nongrafted (NonBG) patients with cleft lip and palate. Methods Fifty-three patients with cleft lip and palate (21 BG, 32 NonBG) were examined by panoramic radiography and posteroanterior cephalography taken before and after canine eruption. Subjects were categorized into BG, NonBG, and control groups. Canines at the pre-eruption stage were categorized as close to (group 1) or distant from (group 2) the cleft area. The canine angle and its change between the two stages were evaluated. Results No significant differences were noted between the initial canine angle of the BG and NonBG groups. Although canines in the BG group erupted without a significant change in angle, the canine angle increased significantly (p < .0001) in the NonBG and control groups. In group 1, a greater change in canine angle was noted in the NonBG (p < .05) and control (p < .01) groups than in the BG group. In group 2, no significant difference was noted among the three groups. Conclusions In BG patients, a canine located near the cleft appears to erupt at the same angle as it had before grafting. However, in NonBG patients, it erupts more vertically, guided by cortical bone. For canines distant from the cleft area, there is no significant difference in the change in angulation between NonBG and BG patients.

Development of a novel mouse osteoclast culture system including cells of mandibular body and erupting teeth

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells with the specialized function of resorbing calcified tissues. These cells develop from hemopoietic cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage with the support of osteoblasts/stromal cells. Tooth eruption is a vertical movement of teeth via creation of an eruption pathway in and through the alveolar bone. The precise cellular and molecular determinants of tooth eruption are not yet clear, and a cell culture system that can reproduce the activity of osteoclast formation during tooth eruption is expected to be a useful tool to clarify the mechanism of eruption pathway formation. To this end, mandibular bodies, including incisors and molars, were isolated from 9- to 11-day-old mice undergoing active tooth eruption. Primary cells were obtained from mandibular bodies by enzymatic digestion and cultured in alphaMEM containing 15% FBS without any cytokine or growth factor or hormone in the culture (AFT culture, for alveolar bone, dental follicle, and tooth). A progressive increase in the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated osteoclastic cells was observed in AFT culture. The osteoclastic cells generated were immunopositive for cathepsin K and calcitonin receptor, and formed resorption pits when cultured on dentine slices. Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), expressed by the enamel organ of tooth, is reported to be an essential factor in creation of the eruption pathway. To verify this point, cells were isolated from mandibular bodies from which all teeth and dental follicles had been removed and cultured similarly (A culture, for alveolar bone). Osteoclastic cells were not formed and PTHrP production was hardly detected in the medium of A culture, in contrast to the high level of PTHrP in AFT culture. Since our previous study demonstrated that neonatal homozygous PTHrP-knockout mice show impaired osteoclastogenesis around tooth germs, AFT culture was performed by using this sample to examine whether this culture system can reproduce the status of osteoclastogenesis observed in vivo. The result showed that none of the osteoclastic cells were generated from cells of homozygous mice. We here report a novel mouse osteoclast culture system that reproduces the activity of osteoclast formation around erupting teeth without addition of any cytokine or growth factor or hormone to the medium. Histological examination of various transgenic and mutant mice now offers valuable findings on studies of tooth eruption and the present culture system using these animals would be a powerful tool in clarifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of eruption pathway formation.

Hypoglossia : Case report and discussion

A case of hypoglossia was observed between the ages of 3 and 15 years in a patient with micrognathia, congenital absence of three lower incisors, and a telescopic occlusion accompanied by an extremely narrow lower arch and severe overbite. Orthodontic intervention was begun when the patient was 8 years old. Craniofacial growth changes that occurred before and after orthodontic treatment are discussed. Cephalometric study of this case suggests the distinctive features of the postnatal growth pattern similar to other cases with the syndrome.

Skeletal characteristics and treatment outcome of five patients with Robin sequence.

OBJECTIVE To examine the variation in the precise skeletal characteristics and the treatment outcomes of five Japanese Robin sequence cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS The birth histories and orthodontic records of five Japanese Robin sequence patients were collected and analyzed. RESULTS All cases had a retrognathic appearance with small SNA and SNB angles. They had significantly steep mandibular planes with lingual tipped incisors in both arches. The gonial angles in two cases were within the Japanese norm, whereas the remaining three showed significantly enlarged angles. Moreover, all cases showed a significantly shorter ramus length, but the mandibular body was short in only two cases. All had moderate or severe crowding in both arches, and therefore extraction of lateral dentition or lateral incisors was performed in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. An edgewise multibracket appliance was placed, and labial tipping of the lower incisors was performed in all cases. All obtained normal functional occlusion after active treatment, but the retrognathic appearance remained in most cases. CONCLUSIONS The present cases with Robin sequence showed variation in the gonial angle and mandibular body length, although all commonly exhibited smaller SNA and SNB angles with significantly steep mandibular planes. Significant labial tipping of the lower incisors was required during the active treatment, and all cases finally obtained functional occlusion, indicating the relatively good prognosis on the occlusion of this sequence.