Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) expression in developing human teeth.

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic phosphoprotein that plays an important role in mineralized tissue formation by initiation of nucleation and modulation of mineral phase morphology. The purpose of the present study was to examine the immunoexpression of DMP1 in tooth germs of 7 human fetuses at different gestational ages (14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 weeks) comparing with completed tooth formation erupted teeth. The results showed the presence of DMP1 in the dental lamina, as well as in the cells of the external epithelium, stellate reticulum and stratum intermedium of the enamel organ. However, in the internal dental epithelium, cervical loop region and dental papilla some cells have not labeled for DMP1. In the crown stage, DMP1 was expressed in the ameloblast and odontoblast layer, as well as in the dentinal tubules of coronal dentin near the odontoblast area. Erupted teeth with complete tooth formation exhibited immunolabeling for DMP1 only in the dentinal tubules mainly close to the dental pulp. No staining was observed in the enamel, predentin or dental pulp matrix. DMP1 is present in all developing dental structures (dental lamina, enamel organ, dental papilla) presenting few immunoexpression variations, with no staining in mineralized enamel and dentin.