Merkel Cells in Malassez Epithelium

Radunović

Inoue

2008

The Anatomical Record

Self Cite

It has been shown that human and cat epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM) consist of heterogeneous cell populations. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic analyses have verified the presence of neuroendocrine and Merkel-like cells in both of these epithelia. During experimental orthodontic tooth movement, immunocompetent cells have also been found in the vicinity of ERM in rat periodontal ligament (PDL), but have not been characterized in normal rat PDL. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of MHC class II antigen presenting cells by using OX6 antibody in ERM of rat molars by light and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic observations of rat maxillary molars confirmed the presence of OX6-positive cells in contact with ERM. Some immunopositive cytoplasmic processes containing vesicles interdigitated with cells of the Malassez epithelial clusters. Based on these findings it can be concluded that immunocompetent cells are localized close to Malassez epithelial clusters in normal rat PDL. Furthermore, the ultrastructural evidences indicate a possible interaction between the epithelial and immunocompent cells and suggest morphological and functional properties for ERM.

mentioning

confidence: 78%

Epithelial Cell Rests of Malassez and OX6‐Immunopositive Cells in the Periodontal Ligament of Rat Molars: A Light and Transmission Electron Microscope Study

Radunović

Inoue

2008

The Anatomical Record

Self Cite

“…It has recently been reported that ERM express hard-tissue-related proteins such as enamel and bone morphogenetic proteins during cementum repair (Hasegawa et al 2003). It has also been demonstrated that periodontal nerve endings and ERM have a close relationship (Lambrichts et al 1993;Kvinnsland et al 2000;Tadokoro et al 2002Tadokoro et al ,2003 and that an interaction between PDLderived epithelial cells and fibroblasts regulates the expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein (Shimonishi et al 2005(Shimonishi et al ,2008. These reports suggest that ERM function not independently, but through interaction with other cells or in response to extrinsic stimuli.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Epithelial Cells and Their Relationship to Immunocompetent Cells in Rat Molars: A Confocal and Transmission Electron Microscope Study

Kawahara

Vandevska‐Radunovic

et al. 2008

J Histochem Cytochem.

Self Cite

This study sought to investigate the distribution of cytokeratin (CK)-immunopositive cells and their relationship to immunocompetent ED1- and OX6-immunopositive cells in rat periodontium by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. CK-immunopositive cells were generally distributed along the surface of the tooth root. They could also be found between root dentin and cementum, in the perivascular space, and close to or in the alveolar bone lacunae. ED1-immunopositive cells exhibited a compact shape with small processes and were widely distributed in the periodontium. Few sections demonstrated an intimate relationship between the CK- and ED1-immunopositive cells close to the cementum, in the perivascular space, and close to or in the alveolar bone. Numerous OX6-immunopositive cells with long branching processes were widely distributed in the periodontal ligament, surrounding and holding CK-immunopositive cells in the cell clusters, close to the cementum. Transmission electron microscopy revealed OX6-immunopositive cells that extended their cytoplasmic processes, which contained vesicles and occasionally lysosomes in between the epithelial cells. This study demonstrates the close relationship between the epithelial cells and the immunocompetent cells in a rat periodontium, indicating a functional interrelationship. It is possible that in a non-inflammatory periodontium, the epithelial cells act not independently, but through interaction with immunocompetent cells.

Epithelial and PGP9.5-immunoreactive cells of Malassez epithelium in the periodontal ligament of cats: a transmission electron microscopic study

Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

2009

Self Cite