Methods: Expression of Fgf18 in developing teeth of wild type mice was analyzed in E13, E15, E17 mouse embryos using in situ hybridization. Embryos of Fgf18-deficient and wild type mice were fixed in Bouin's fluid and embedded in paraffin. Histological evaluation was performed on HE-stained sections.
Results: Fgf18 was expressed in the mesenchyme of developing teeth at earlier stages, and in dental papillae and the inner enamel epithelium at later stages. At E13 and E15, there was no difference in tooth development between wild type and Fgf18-deficient mice, but the arrangement of pre-odontoblasts was partially disrupted in Fgf18-deficient mice at E18.
Conclusion: Fgf18 might be one of the important factors in odontoblast differentiation or maturation.