Nuclear Factor I-C Regulates Stemness Genes and Proliferation of Stem Cells in Various Mineralized Tissue through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions in Dental Epithelial Stem Cells

Figure 1

Nfic expression level decreases as DESC differentiate into ameloblasts. (a) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of the sagittal section of a WT mandibular incisor is examined to observe the expression pattern of Nfic in the labial cervical loop. The histological analysis of the labial cervical loop shows the organized structure with DESCs differentiating into ameloblasts towards the cervical loop of the incisor. (B)–(F) are higher magnifications of boxed (A), from right to left, respectively. (A)–(F) 6 weeks. Scale bars = (B)–(E) = 50 μm. (b–g) Illustrated diagram of the Nfic expression pattern and differentiation level in the cervical loop of the mandibular incisor. Abbreviations: Am: ameloblast; D: dentin; DM: dental mesenchyme; E: enamel; IEE: inner enamel epithelium; IHC: immunohistochemistry; Od: odontoblast; OEE: outer enamel epithelium; SR: stellate reticulum; TA: transit-amplifying cells; WT: wild type.