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ABSTRACT The response of embryonic mouse dental epithelium and mesoderm to tissues of ectopic origin was examined. Isolated molar or incisor mesoderm was confronted with epithelium isolated from the plantar surface of the embryonic mouse foot plate or from the snout. Harmoniously structured teeth were formed from the foot epithelium and incisor or molar mesoderm. These data are interpreted as an unequivocal demonstration of the inductive role of the dental mesenchyme. Teeth were absent in confrontations of dental mesenchyme and snout epithelium. The presence of hair follicles in these explants is described and discussed with reference to other integumental epithelio-mesenchymal interactions. Dental epithelium forms keratinizing surface-like epithelium and invading bands of epithelium in association with foot mesoderm; definitive structures are not formed. On the other hand, when incisor or molar epithelium is associated with snout mesoderm, hair follicles are seen in addition to keratinizing surface-like epithelial configurations. The roles of the epithelial and mesenchymal tissues and the nature of epithelio-mesenchymal interactions in the developing mouse integument are discussed.
Kollar et al. (Sat,) studied this question.