Immunohistochemical research of β-catenin and E-cadherin in the developing mouse molar

Objective To study the expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin in the different stages of developing mouse molar.Methods ICR mice of embryonic day 13,15,16 and postnatal day 1 and 5 were obtained.Tissues including the maxillary molar germs were used to get the specimens.Immunohistochemical staining was performed at the specimens of different stages.Results At embryonic day 13,15,16 and postnatal day 1,5,the first molar germs were at the bud stage,cap stage,early bell stage,mid bell stage and late bell stage respectively.The expressions of β-catenin and E-cadherin were spatiotemporal difference.The former was expressed in the enamel organ and dental mesenchyme during all stages.The latter was expressed only in the enamel organ before the secretory stage,and then was also detected in the odontoblasts.Conclusion β-catenin and E-cadherin play a role during the morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation processes of tooth germs.Moreover,it indicates that the cell adhesion and Wnt signaling pathway regulate the tooth development.