Cytoskeleton and surface structures of cells directly attached to the tooth in the rat junctional epithelium

Abstract

DAT cells possess stress fibers arranged in parallel to the tooth axis and to the presumable cervical-line in the cytoplasm, and microvilli-like structures on their enamel surfaces. These results suggest that these structures contribute to DAT cell migration.

The junctional epithelium originates from the odontogenic epithelium of an erupted tooth

“…The cells directly attached to the tooth are well known to have the potential to migrate toward the crown side and adhere. However, the source of these cells is unclear, and determining whether the JE is replaced by the oral epithelium is difficult3839. To clarify whether the JE is maintained as the odontogenic epithelium or replaced by the oral epithelium, the re-formation of the JE following gingivectomy has been studied2540414243.…”

Interleukin‐8 induces DNA synthesis, migration and down‐regulation of cleaved caspase‐3 in cultured human gingival epithelial cells

“…It was reported that lipopolysaccharide induces the apoptosis of periodontal ligament cells and the proliferation of basal cells in junctional epithelium . In addition, DAT cells migrate whilst attached to the enamel, and integrin α3β1 is involved in this migration . Furthermore, expression of keratinocyte growth factor receptor and hepatocyte growth factor receptor were reported to be up‐regulated in a rat model of periodontitis .…”

Involvement of laminin and integrins in adhesion and migration of junctional epithelium cells

“…Several investigators have proposed that DAT cells may be nonmigratory cells and that they do not participate in the turnover of the junctional epithelium (3,14,15). In contrast, other studies have reported evidence supporting a high turnover of DAT cells (16)(17)(18)(19). Thus, questions remain about whether DAT cells migrate to participate in cell turnover of the junctional epithelium (regardless of their expression of adhesion proteins), why there is no laminin (other than laminin-5) expressed in the internal basal lamina and how adhesion proteins are related to turnover of the junctional epithelium.…”