[Expression of matrixmetalloproteinase-8 on the bell-stage in human and rat tooth development].
OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of MMP-8 in human and rat tooth development. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization of MMP-8 protein while in situ hybridization was used to examine the expression of MMP-8 mRNA. RESULTS: The expression of MMP-8 protein was localized in odontoblast and dentin matrix at the later bell stage in human tooth germ. The dentin was denser close to the pulp cavity. The expression of MMP-8 mRNA was found in very few polarized odontoblast at the early bell stage and all polarized odontoblast at the later bell stage in rat tooth germ. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that MMP-8 involved in dentin matrix rebuilding in the process of dentin formation in human and rat dental development.