Sonic Hedgehog Signaling and Tooth Development

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted protein with important roles in mammalian embryogenesis. During tooth development, Shh is primarily expressed in the dental epithelium, from initiation to the root formation stages. A number of studies have analyzed the function of Shh signaling at different stages of tooth development and have revealed that Shh signaling regulates the formation of various tooth components, including enamel, dentin, cementum, and other soft tissues. In addition, dental mesenchymal cells positive for Gli1, a downstream transcription factor of Shh signaling, have been found to have stem cell properties, including multipotency and the ability to self-renew. Indeed, Gli1-positive cells in mature teeth appear to contribute to the regeneration of dental pulp and periodontal tissues. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances related to the role of Shh signaling in tooth development, as well as the contribution of this pathway to tooth homeostasis and regeneration.