Ablation of NTPDase2+ cells inhibits the formation of filiform papillae in tongue tip

Abstract

Background Lingual epithelia in the tongue tip are among the most rapidly regenerating tissues, but the mechanism of cell genesis in this tissue is still unknown. Previous study has suggested the existence of multiple stem cell pools in lingual epithelia and papillae. Like K14+ and Sox2+ cells, NTPD ase2+ cells have characteristics of stem cells. Methods We employed a system using doxycycline to conditionally ablate NTPD ase2+ cells in lingual epithelia and papillae by regulated expression of the diphtheria toxin A ( DTA ) gene. Transgenic lines, which expressed the rt TA gene in NTPD ase2+ cells, were produced by pronuclear injection of zygotes from C57 BL /6 mice using the BAC clone RP 23‐47P18. The NTPD ase2‐rt TA transgenic mice were crossed with the TetO‐ DTA transgenic animals. The double transgenic mice were treated with doxycycline. Doxycycline (Dox) was diluted in 5% sucrose in water to a final concentration of 0.3‐0.5 mg/mL and supplied as drinking water. Results After 15 days of Dox induction, the expression of NTPD ase2, Sox2 and K14 was ablated from lingual epithelia. DTA expression in NTPD ase2+ cells did not inhibit the turnover of GNAT 3+ or PLC β2+ cells in taste buds, nor the expression of S100β beneath lingual epithelia and papillae. After 35 days ablation of NTPD ase2+ cells, the basic structure of lingual epithelia and papillae remained intact. However, the ratio of cell to total tissue area was decreased in lingual epithelia and circumvallate ( CV ) papillae. DTA expression also inhibited the regeneration of filiform papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue tip. Conclusions These studies provide important insights into the understanding of dynamic equilibrium among the multiple stem cell populations present in the lingual epithelia and papillae.

Clinical atrophy patterns of filiform papillae of the tongue and their relationship with the serum levels of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid in patients with systemic diseases

“…Many factors of different nature have been implicated to the etiology of FP atrophy, and these factors interact in diverse ways during the development of FP atrophy. In conditions of malnutrition, there is a disequilibrium and scarcity of the minimum required nutritional elements to nourish and regenerate the tissue of the dorsum of the tongue; this tissue has a high cellular turnover 40 . Nutritional deficiencies usually result from the inadequate ingestion of multiple vitamins and micronutrients; some authors consider that the manifestations of atrophic glossitis occur secondary to the low availability of multiple nutrients instead of a single element 24,38,41,42 .…”

“…In conditions of malnutrition, there is a disequilibrium and scarcity of the minimum required nutritional elements to nourish and regenerate the tissue of the dorsum of the tongue; this tissue has a high cellular turnover. 40 Nutritional deficiencies usually result from the inadequate ingestion of multiple vitamins and micronutrients; some authors consider that the manifestations of atrophic glossitis occur secondary to the low availability of multiple nutrients instead of a single element. 24,38,41,42 In this work, focal or total FP atrophy findings corroborate the data found by Asian researchers regarding the association of atrophic glossitis and low serum iron levels, [14][15][16] but not with the other analyzed elements.…”