Abstract

Regional bone diversity has major public health implications. This is exemplified by the tissue incompatibility problems associated with bone ectopic autografts or the puzzling jaw osteonecrosis induced by antiresorptive agents that are otherwise effective in treating long-bone osteoporosis or metastatic resorptive lesions. Identifying bone site-specific biomarkers is therefore essential, firstly to determine why or how bone cell phenotypes vary depending on the anatomical site and secondly to implement new bone site-specific therapeutics. The present chapter summarizes findings on site-specific bone cell profiles and highlights ameloblastin (AMBN) as an exemplary peptide for jaw bone site-specificity. AMBN was originally discovered in tooth enamel matrix, extracts of which have been successfully applied clinically for regeneration of mineralized tissue. AMBN has also been detected outside the enamel in both mineralized and nonmineralized tissues. In bone, functional studies have demonstrated crucial functions of AMBN in the control of bone balance, notably processes associated with a high bone remodeling rate. In contrast to appendicular and axial bones, jaw bones are highly affected by AMBN. For example, AMBN participates in the physiological control of alveolar bone integrity in response to tooth-associated biomechanical stimulation. Based on these observations, AMBN-based treatments have promising clinical potential for craniofacial tissue repair and more specifically for alveolar bone regeneration