Genetic/Protein Association of Atopic Dermatitis and Tooth Agenesis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis and abnormalities in tooth development (including hypomineralization, hypodontia and microdontia) have been observed to co-occur in some patients. A common pathogenesis pathway that involves genes and protein interactions has been hypothesized. This review aims to first provide a description of the key gene mutations and signaling pathways associated with atopic dermatitis and tooth agenesis (i.e., the absence of teeth due to developmental failure) and identify the possible association between the two diseases. Second, utilizing a list of genes most commonly associated with the two diseases, we conducted a protein–protein network interaction analysis using the STRING database and identified a novel association between the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (major pathway responsible for TA) and desmosomal proteins (component of skin barrier that affect the pathogenesis of AD). Further investigation into the mechanisms that may drive their co-occurrence and underlie the development of the two diseases is warranted.

Thoughts on the Etiology of Cherubism

“…These connections are explained via tooth follicle formation using molecular genetic interactions of the BMP, FGF, WNT, and Hh gene families. The transition from the lamina to the bud stage, which is characterized by the interaction of WNT/MSX1 and PAX9, was also of particular interest to other researchers [13].…”