Amelogenin in Enamel Tissue Engineering

Abstract

In this chapter the basic premises, the recent findings and the future challenges in the use of amelogenin for enamel tissue engineering are being discoursed on. Results emerging from the experiments performed to assess the fundamental physicochemical mechanisms of the interaction of amelogenin, the main protein of the enamel matrix, and the growing crystals of apatite, are mentioned, alongside a moderately comprehensive literature review of the subject at hand. The clinical importance of understanding this protein/mineral interaction at the nanoscale are highlighted as well as the potential for tooth enamel to act as an excellent model system for studying some of the essential aspects of biomineralization processes in general. The dominant paradigm stating that amelogenin directs the uniaxial growth of apatite crystals in enamel by slowing down the growth of (hk0) faces on which it adheres is being questioned based on the results demonstrating the ability of amelogenin to promote the nucleation and crystal growth of apatite under constant titration conditions designed to mimic those present in the developing enamel matrix. The role of numerous minor components of the enamel matrix is being highlighted as essential and impossible to compensate for by utilizing its more abundant ingredients only. It is concluded that the three major aspects of amelogenesis outlined hereby – (1) the assembly of amelogenin and other enamel matrix proteins, (2) the proteolytic activity, and (3) crystallization – need to be in precise synergy with each other in order for the grounds for the proper imitation of amelogenesis in the lab to be created.

Selected DNA Aptamers Influence Kinetics and Morphology in Calcium Phosphate Mineralization

“…Calcium phosphate mineralization was analyzed at a heterogeneous surface/solution interface in a multistream microfluidic device integrated with microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) mass analysis, as previously described. , It is expected that control of mineralization and mechanism may be altered at a surface/solution interface and it is important and useful to understand the influence of mineralization templates when confined to a surface. − Aptamers with added poly-A nucleotides were immobilized through hybridization to a poly-T nucleotide DNA self-assembled monolayer. Precursor solutions were flowed through the microfluidic device to achieve controlled solution mixing and a dynamic, constantly replenishing solution.…”

Calcium Phosphate as a Key Material for Socially Responsible Tissue Engineering

“…This technique is often combined with sintering to improve the toughness and the tensile strength of the scaffolds [ 93 ]. Anisotropic lamination is observed under certain conditions, resulting in unusually high compressive strengths as well [ 94 ], in analogy with the mechanical strengths typifying the anisotropic microstructures of tooth enamel [ 95 ] and composite nacre [ 96 ]. Another frequently used method for making CAP scaffolds involves the seeding of CAP particles on the surface of a polymeric foam, whose subsequent burning leads to a porous ceramic construct [ 97 ].…”

An association analysis for genetic factors for dental caries susceptibility in a cohort of Chinese children

“…The genes, AMELX (amelogenin X‐linked), ENAM (enamelin), and KLK4 (kallikrein‐related peptidase 4) are responsible for the positive regulation of tooth mineralization (Hu et al., 2014; Uskokovic, 2015; Yamakoshi et al, 2006). AMBN (ameloblastin) and TUFT1 (tuftelin 1) are genes involved in the formation of dental enamel, which is the hardest tissue in mammals (Deutsch et al., 2002; Lu et al., 2018).…”