In vivo expression of classic PKC isoforms in the rat dental follicle as related to tooth eruption.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) can upregulate tooth eruption molecules such as osteoprotegerin (OPG) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, we examined the in vivo gene expression of classic isoforms of PKC in the dental follicle of postnatal rats. The expression level of PKC-alpha was significantly reduced at day 3 followed by a gradual return to day 1 level, a profile similar to OPG expression. The expression of PKC-beta was the lowest at day 1 followed by elevated levels from day 3 to day 11. Expression of PKC-beta is positively correlated with the expression of overall VEGF and VEGF120. The expression level of PKC-gamma was relatively steady in the postnatal days. Injection of a PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), at late postnatal days, slightly accelerated first mandibular molar eruption. This study suggests that PKC isoforms may be involved in the regulation of tooth eruption.