Introduction: Understanding of apoptotic mechanisms involved in tissue shaping is of particular interest because of possible targeted modulation of the development of organ structures such as teeth. Research of CD 95 mediated apoptosis has been focused particularly on cell death in the immune system and related disorders. However, CD 95 mediated apoptosis is also involved in embryogenesis of many organs as the kidney, the lung, the intestine and tissue networks such as the nervous system.
Design: Narrative review.
Results: This review briefly summarizes the current knowledge of CD 95 mediated apoptosis in embryogenesis with possible implication in tooth development. CD 95 receptor and CD 95 ligand are found at early stages of tooth development. The data suggest some positive correlations with dental apoptosis distribution, particularly in the primary enamel knot where apoptosis occurs during elimination of this structure. CD 95 deficient (lpr) adult mouse tooth phenotype, however, did not show any alterations in final tooth pattern and morphology.
Conclusion: To date studies of apoptotic machinery during tooth development show spatial localization of many of the components together with precise and localized timing of cell death. There is still much to be learned about the regulation and importance of apoptosis in tooth development. Nevertheless, the involvement of apoptotic regulatory mechanisms interplaying with other molecules participates to the cellular cross-talk in developing tissues, which opens possible targeted modulations as suggested, e.g. for future molecular dentistry.