Abstract:

Objective　To study the expression of MMP-8 in human and rat tooth development.Methods　Immunohis- tochemistry 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 ofMMP-8 proteinwas 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 ofMMP-8 mRNAwas found in very few polar- ized odontoblast at the early bell stage and all polarized odontoblast at the later bell stage in rat tooth germ.Conclusion　The re- sults suggested thatMMP-8 involved in dentinmatrix rebuilding in the process of dentin formation in human and rat dental develop- ment.

Key words: matrixmetalloproteinase-8, tooth development, dentin formation