Immunohistochemical Localization of the Matrix Glycoproteins-Tenascin and the ED-sequence-containing Form of Cellular Fibronectin—in Human Permanent Teeth and Periodontal Ligament

Abstract

The expression of two matrix glycoproteins, tenascin and cellular fibronectin (cFN), has been studied in fully developed human permanent teeth, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, in both frozen and paraffin-processed material. Polyclonal antibodies to tenascin and a monoclonal antibody recognizing the ED sequence specific to at least some forms of cFN were used. Staining for both tenascin and cFN was positive in the dental pulp, odontoblastic layer, cementoblast-pre-cementum zone, and on the periosteal as well as endosteal surfaces of the alveolar bone. In the periodontal ligament, cFN was evenly distributed, whereas tenascin was accumulated in the attachment zones. Pre-dentin stained for tenascin but not for cFN. Mineralized dentin and cementum were tenascin- and cFN-negative. The relative staining intensity for tenascin was greater than that for cFN in the cementoblast-pre-cementum layer and in the attachment zones of the periodontal ligament, whereas cFN stained more intensely in the pulp. In frozen material, antigenicities were well-preserved. Paraffin processing facilitated precise recognition of tissue morphology, but the antigenicity of cFN was lost. The co-expression of tenascin and cFN in the dental pulp, cementogenic zone, and on the surfaces of the alveolar bone may reflect the ability of the cells to deposit mineralized tissue matrices. The pronounced expression of tenascin in the interfaces between mineralized and non-mineralized tissues suggests that it is functionally associated with mechanical stress and may thus have at least two distinct functions. The relative amounts of the two matrix glycoproteins may contribute to regulation of tissue structure.

Quantitative Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Hypertrophic Layers of the Mandibular Condyle and Temporal Bone during Human Fetal Development

“…Tenascin is found during mineralizing matrices of bone [Thesleff et al, 1987] and is mainly concentrated in mineralized and nonmineralized tissues exposed to mechanical stress [Lukinmaa et al, 1991]. We also found tenascin between the calcification and procalcification layers.…”

Establishment of Periodontal Ligament Cell Lines from Temperature-Sensitive Simian Virus 40 Large T-antigen Transgenic Rats

“…FN and COLL1 are components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the PDL (Lukinmaa et al 1991), and are considered markers for fibroblastic cells (Hou and Yaeger 1993). It has been reported that FN increases the proliferation rate of PDL cells (Kapila et al 1998), which led to the suggestion that FN is associated with PDL regeneration, although the functions of FN in the PDL are virtually unknown.…”

Osteoblast and Gingival Fibroblast Markers in Dental Implant Studies

“…These cells form the inside surface of the tooth and separate it from the cavum pulpae. Tenascin may thus also be associated with secondary dentine elaboration when pulp cells differentiate into odontoblasts in response to physical stimuli [27][28][29][30] .…”