Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta3 mRNA During Mouse Molar Development

Objective: To investigate the temporal and spatial expression and localization of transforming growth factor-β3 mRNA during mouse molar development.Methods: The distribution pattern of TGFβ3 mRNA was analyzed on 5 μm serial sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded embryonic mouse heads or mandibles using in situ hybridization.Results: The results showed that TGFβ3 mRNA was expressed during mouse molar development in a temporally and spatially regulated fashion.TGFβ3 mRNA was strongly expressed in dental epithelia at bud and cap stage.The expression of TGFβ3 mRNA was increased in the layer of odontoblast and ameloblast according with the differentiation of these cells.Conclusion: These results suggest that TGFβ3 mRNA may have an important role in tooth development and be involved in an autocrine and paracrine fashion in the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions regulating morphogenesis.