Abstract

Background: Dentinogenesis is a long and complex process not only in tooth development, but also throughout the lifespan. Reporter mice provided us a preferred model to study the dentin formation with characteristics of high sensitivity, visualization, and reliability, which makes the long-term and intricate period of dentinogenesis much clear. With the advent of different gene reporters, genetic engineering methods, and tissue specific promoters, various reporter mice can be created to solve different problems.

Objective: To understand the fundamental concepts and characteristics to use the reporter mice for dentinogenesis study.

Results: This review introduced the frequently used gene–based reporters, genetic engineering technologies, dentinogenesis-related promoters and the reporter mice commonly used in the dentin study, with the purpose of obtaining a better application of reporter mice and gaining more details about dentinogenesis.

Conclusion: Reporter mice is a convenient and reliable model for studying dentinogenesis.

Keywords: Reporter, conditional knock out, Cre-LoxP system, dentinogenesis, promoters, progenitor cells, epigenetics.