Objectives: The relation between nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) in the human pre-natal tooth buds and the dental follicle was investigated. In particular, we sought to determine if there is a specific pattern of p75NGFR expression in developing human tooth buds and their surrounding tissue.
Setting and sample population: The Department of Orthodontics at Copenhagen University, Denmark. Histological sections from 11 fetuses, aged 11-21 gestational weeks.
Method: The sections were studied by conventional immunohistochemistry.
Results: Specific spatiotemporal patterns of p75NGFR reactions were observed in the tooth buds and dental follicle: Before matrix production by the ameloblasts, the entire inner enamel epithelium and the entire dental follicle display p75NGFR immunoreactivity; after matrix production is initiated, the immunoreactivity of the matrix producing cells is lost, as is that of the dental follicle adjacent to these matrix-producing cells.
Conclusion: A unique spatiotemporal distribution of NGFR in the pre-eruptive human tooth bud was demonstrated.