Thesis (doctoral)--Umeå Universitet, Sweden, 1989. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Family with sequence similarity 20 (FAM20) consists of three members: FAM20A, FAM20B and FAM20C. Mutations in FAM20 family have been linked to developmental disorders involving bones, cartilage and teeth. FAM20A mutations in humans are associated with amelogenesis imperfecta with gingival fibromatosis and enamel renal syndrome. Fam20a knockout (KO) mouse showed growth retardation. The aim of this study was to characterize the skeletal and dental phenotypes using Fam20a KO mouse. Our results showed that body size and bone length of KO mice were smaller than those of WT. The microcomputed tomography (μCT) analyses of trabecular and cortical bones in KO displayed lower bone volume, thinner trabeculae and thinner bone cortex as compared to WT. Histological examination of KO growth plate demonstrated disorganized chondrocyte zones and extended hypertrophic zone. qRT-PCR results showed downregulation of several osteoblast differentiation markers in KO long bone. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated reduced chondrocyte proliferation, apoptosis and increased collagen X expression in KO growth plate. Our data showed a lower number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in KO as compared to WT. In vitro study, Fam20a KO showed a lower number of bone marrow stromal cells and osteoprogenitors. In vitro mineralization was impaired in KO osteoblasts. Fam20a KO had hypoplastic enamel, delayed tooth eruption and gingival overgrowth. The µCT results demonstrated that enamel in Fam20a KO was not fully mineralized and enamel matrix was detached from dentin. Scanning electron microscopy displayed absence of decussation patterns in Fam20a KO enamel. Histological examination of maxillary first molar at differentiation stage showed no difference between WT and KO. At the secretory stage, Fam20a KO ameloblasts were short and non-polarized as compared to WT. Immunohistochemical analysis showed diffuse staining pattern of amelogenin in Fam20a KO first molar compared to WT. Western blot analysis demonstrated that amelogenin proteolytic process was impaired in KO and showed slower migration pattern of MMP20. In conclusion, endochondral ossification defects and reduced number of osteoblasts and their precursors led to the bone phenotype in Fam20a KO. Amelogenin processing defects caused amelogenesis imperfecta phenotype in KO. Our study indicated that Fam20a plays a role in skeletal development and amelogenesis.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a genetically determined enamel defect characterized by genetic and clinical heterogeneity . The prevalence and incidence of AI were established in the county of Västerbotten, northern Sweden, in 3-19-yr-olds born 1963-79, as were the mode of inheritance and clinical manifestation of AI. The distribution of the inorganic component in the enamel of AI teeth was studied as well as the surface morphology and other morphological details, and the findings were correlated to genetic and clinical data. AI was diagnosed in 79 children and adolescents (index cases). The prevalence in the study population was 1.4: 1 000. The mean yearly incidence 1963-79 was 1.3:1 000. The inheritance patterns for AI were established in 78 index cases from 51 families. Pedigree and segregation analyses suggested autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance in 3 3 families, autosomal recessive (AR) in six families, and X- linked recessive in two families; in ten families only sporadic cases were found. In one of the families with an AD inheritance pattern, X-linked dominant was a possible alternative. Examination of the families of the 78 index cases revealed 107 new cases of AI. The hypoplastic form was seen in 72% of all diagnosed cases and the hypomineralization form in 28% of the cases. A further classification of the clinical manifestations led to the identification of eight clinical variants. In 3 3 of the 51 families the same clinical variant was found in all affected members. In eight families affected members were assigned to different clinical variants. In three families with an X-linked inheritance pattern for AI, the clinical manifestation differed between women and men due to lyo- nization. Among the remaining five families, with an AD inheritance pattern for AI, variants clinically characterized by hypoplasia as well as variants characterized by hypomineralization were found in three families; in the other two families the clinical manifestation varied within the same main form of AI, i.e. hypoplasia or hypomineralization. Hypoplasia as well as hypomineralization were observed microradiographically in the enamel of most of the examined teeth. These findings were supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both clinically and microradiographically as well as by SEM, similar variants of AI were found as AD and AR traits and/or among the sporadic cases. In the families with AI as an X-linked trait the genetic hypothesis was confirmed by the clinical, microradiographic and scanning electron microscopic findings. / <p>S. 1-46: sammanfattning, s. 47-134: 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Les Amélogenèses imparfaites constituent un groupe d’altération de l’émail dentaire d’origine génétique. Cette pathologie peut exister de manière isolée ou associée à d’autres symptômes dans le cadre de syndromes. Certains gènes impliqués sont déjà connus, cependant de nouvelles mutations et de nouveaux gènes restent à identifier. L’étude de familles informatives dans le cadre de ce projet de recherche sur le massif crânio-facial et bucco-dentaire, associée à des stratégies d’identification génétique telles que la sélection de gènes candidats, les zones d’homozygotie, le séquençage haut débit, ont permis d’obtenir des résultats probants. Des investigations futures passant par l’augmentation des cohortes, le développement des outils de séquençage de nouvelle génération, l’étude des modèles cellulaires et animaux permettront d'améliorer la compréhension de l’amélogenèse. / Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) represents hereditary conditions affecting the quality and quantity of enamel. This disease can exist in isolation or in association with other symptoms in the form of syndromes. Several genes involved in AI are already known, however mutations in these genes are not sufficient to explain all cases of AI. This suggests that mutations in yet unidentified genes underlie AI. The study of informative families included in this research project on cranio-facial and oro-dental anomalies, by using genetic strategies such as candidate gene mutational analysis,homozygosity mapping and next generation sequencing, allowed the discovery of novel genes and mutations in AI. Future investigations based on the recruitment of new families, the development of new next generation sequencing tools and the establishment of cellular and animal models will improve our understanding of amelogenesis.