Research:

My laboratory is studying the molecular basis of tooth eruption; specifically, the molecular signals necessary to initiate the cellular events of eruption. A loose connective tissue sac, the dental follicle, surrounds each unerupted tooth and the presence of the follicle is required for eruption. At the cellular level, mononuclear cells are recruited to the follicle where they fuse to form osteoclasts to resorb the adjacent alveolar bone such that an eruption pathway is formed. The signals for recruiting the mononuclear cells, as well as many of the signals regulating the subsequent osteoclastogenesis, emanate from the dental follicle in a time-specific manner. Finally, the dental follicle also regulates the alveolar bone formation that occurs at the base of the tooth such that the tooth is elevated out of the bony crypt through the eruption pathway.

Techniques to study eruption include cell culture, RT-PCR to study gene expression, laser capture microdissection, immunocytochemistry, immunoblotting, ELISA assays, chemotactic assays and assays to measure osteoclastogenesis. The first mandibular molar of the rat is the model system used. These studies are of clinical significance in that understanding normal eruption may lead to new methods to induce impacted teeth to erupt. Additionally, these studies are of significance in determining the regulation of alveolar bone resorption, particularly as it relates to such diseases as periodontitis. This research has been continuously funded by NIH since 1991.

Recent Publications:

Wise, G.E., Yao, S. and Henk, W.G.: Bone formation as a potential motive force of tooth eruption in the rat molar. Clin. Anat., 20: 632-639, 2007.

Yao, S., Pan, F. and Wise, G.E.: Chronological gene expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in the stellate reticulum of the rat - Implications for tooth eruption. Arch. Oral Biol., 52: 228-232, 2007.

Wise, G.E. and Yao, S.: Regional differences of expression of MBP-2 and RANKL in the rat dental follicle. Eur. J. Oral Sci., 114: 512-516, 2006.

Yao, S., Liu, D., Pan, F. and Wise, G.E.: Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on RANK gene expression in osteoclast precursors and on osteoclastogenesis. Arch. Oral Biol., 51: 596-602, 2006.

Liu, D. Yao,S. and Wise, G.E.: Effect of IL-10 on gene expression of osteoclastogenic regulatory molecules in the rat dental follicle. Eur. J. Oral Sci., 114: 42-49, 2006.