Nagako Yoshiba

Immunolocalization of Fibronectin during Reparative Dentinogenesis in Human Teeth after Pulp Capping with Calcium Hydroxide

Exposed dental pulp is known to possess the ability to form a hard-tissue barrier (dentin bridge). The exact mechanisms by which pulp cells differentiate into odontoblasts in this process are unknown. Fibronectin has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in odontoblast differentiation during tooth development. This study tested the hypothesis that fibronectin is involved in the initial stages of replacement odontoblast differentiation and reparative dentin formation. We observed its immunohistochemical localization during dentin bridge formation in human teeth, after pulp was capped with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. One day after the capping, precipitation of crystalline structures was observed at the TEM level in association with cell debris at the interface between the superficial necrotic zone and underlying pulp tissue. This layer of dystrophic calcification showed positive reaction for fibronectin, and pulp cells appeared to be closely associated with this layer, seven to ten days postoperatively. At 14 days, an alignment of cells, some of which were elongated and odontoblast-like, was observed adjacent to the fibroriectin-positive irregular matrix. Between the cells, corkscrew fiber-like fluorescence was visible. At 28 days, the irregular fibrous matrix was followed by the formation of tubular dentin-like matrix lined with odontoblast-like cells. Therefore, it would seem that fibronectin associated with the initially formed calcified layer might play a mediating role in the differentiation of pulp cells into odontoblasts during reparative dentinogenesis, after pulp was capped with Ca(OH)2.

Immunohistochemical Localization of HLA-DR-positive Cells in Unerupted and Erupted Normal and Carious Human Teeth

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen-expressing cells are generally associated with the early phase of the immune response. We have studied the distribution of class II-expressing cells in developing, normal, and carious human teeth to clarify when human pulp acquires an immunologic defense potential and how this reacts to dental caries. Antigen-expressing cells were identified immunohistochemically by means of HLA-DR monoclonal antibody. In the pulp of unerupted developing teeth, numerous HLA-DR-positive cells were distributed mainly in and around the odontoblast layer. In erupted teeth, HLA-DR-positive cells were located, for the most part, just beneath the odontoblast layer, with slender cytoplasmic processes extending into the layer. Superficial caries lesions caused an aggregation of HLA-DR-positive cells in dental pulp corresponding to the lesion. In teeth with deeper caries lesions, this aggregation of cells expanded to include the odontoblast layer. Also noted were HLA-DR-positive cells lying along the pulp-dentin border, with cytoplasmic processes projecting deep into the dentinal tubules, where they co-localized with odontoblast processes. These findings suggest that: (1) human dental pulp is equipped with immunologic defense potential prior to eruption; (2) in the initial stage of caries infection, an immunoresponse mediated by class-II-expressing cells is initiated in human dental pulp; and (3) HLA-DR-positive cells trespass deep into dentinal tubules as the caries lesion advances.

Expression and localization of laminin‐5 subunits during mouse tooth development

Tooth morphogenesis is regulated by epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions mediated by the basement membrane (BM). Laminins are major glycoprotein components of the BMs, which are involved in several cellular activities. The expression and localization of the α3, β3, and γ2 laminin‐5 subunits have been analyzed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry during mouse molar development. Initially (E12), mRNAs of all subunits were detected in the entire dental epithelium and the corresponding proteins were located in the BM. During cap formation (E13‐14), transcripts for the α3 and γ2 subunits were localized in the outer dental epithelium (ODE), whereas the β3 subunit mRNA was present in the inner dental epithelium (IDE). During the early bell stage (E16), immunoreactivity for all subunits disappeared from the BM along the IDE, although intense signals for β3 mRNA were detectable in cells of the IDE. Subsequently, when the dentinal matrix was secreted by odontoblasts (E18‐19.5), mRNAs of all three subunits were re‐expressed by ameloblasts, and the corresponding proteins were detected in ameloblasts and in the enamel matrix. Tissue recombination experiments demonstrated that when E16 IDE or ODE was associated with E18 dental papilla mesenchyme, immunostaining for all laminin‐5 subunits disappeared from the BM, whereas when cultured with non‐dental limb bud mesenchyme, they remained positive after 48 hr of culture. These results suggest that the temporo‐spatial expression of laminin‐5 subunits in tooth development, which appears to be differentially controlled by the dental mesenchyme, might be related to the enamel organ histo‐morphogenesis and the ameloblast differentiation. Dev. Dyn. 1998;211:164–176.

IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF THE SMALL PROTEOGLYCAN DECORIN IN HUMAN TEETH

The immunolocalization of decorin was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In the apical area of developing teeth, labelling for decorin was found in the dental papilla cells, prodontoblasts and also in the Hertwigs epithelial cells. Mantle dentine and the initial predentine were negative. In circumpulpal dentine, intense reactivity extended along the calcification front and dentinal tubules. Fluorescence was also evident in odontoblast cell bodies and their processes in predentine. None was perceived, however, in the predentinal matrix. Faint staining was observed on the calcified dentinal matrix. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed staining for decorin in collagen fibrils lining the predentine-dentine junction, and where arrays of labelled filaments were noted orthogonal to the collagen fibrils. Staining extending from the calcification front was observed in the matrix adjacent to the dentinal tubule. The decorin observed at the calcification front might regulate the mineralization of dentinal matrix.

Temporospatial Gene Expression and Protein Localization of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors During Mouse Molar Tooth Development

The gene expression and protein distribution of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) ‐2, ‐9, membrane type‐1 MMP (MT1‐MMP), as well as of TIMP‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 were analyzed during mouse molar development. Immunohistochemical data demonstrated that all the MMPs investigated were expressed in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme. In contrast, gene and protein expression analysis for TIMPs showed that they were differentially expressed. TIMP‐1 was expressed in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme between E13 and E16 and was transiently up‐regulated at E14, the cap stage. TIMP‐1 expression was also detected in differentiating odontoblasts. TIMP‐2 RNA transcripts were found in the peridental and dental mesenchyme, odontoblasts, and ameloblasts. Protein analysis revealed high expression on the lingual side of the dental epithelium and underlying mesenchyme together with transient expression in the enamel knot at E14 and expression in the gingival tissue and enamel matrix postnatally. TIMP‐3 RNA transcripts were found in discrete regions of the dental epithelium, including at high levels in the cervical loop at E16. Expression was also detected in preodontoblasts at E16 and transiently during ameloblast differentiation. Analysis of the protein distribution revealed a lower level of TIMP‐3 on the lingual side of the dental epithelium at E14. MT1‐MMP was expressed in the dental mesenchyme between E13 and E16, at relatively high levels in the cervical loop at E14, and in the odontoblasts and ameloblasts. The distinct temporospatial distribution patterns of the TIMPs suggest that these inhibitors play several intrinsic roles during tooth development. Developmental Dynamics 228:105–112, 2003.

Immunohistochemical Localization of α-Smooth Muscle Actin During Rat Molar Tooth Development

The dental follicle contains mesenchymal cells that differentiate into osteoblasts, cementoblasts, and fibroblasts. However, the characteristics of these mesenchymal cells are still unknown. α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is known to localize in stem cells and precursor cells of various tissues. In the present study, to characterize the undifferentiated cells in the dental follicle, immunohistochemical localization of α-SMA was examined during rat molar tooth development. Rat mandibles were collected at embryonic days (E) 15-20 and postnatal days (P) 7-28. Immunohistochemical stainings for α-SMA, periostin, Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) were carried out using paraffin-embedded sections. α-SMA localization was hardly detected in the bud and cap stages. At the early bell stage, α-SMA-positive cells were visible in the dental follicle around the cervical loop. At the late bell to early root formation stage (P14), these cells were detected throughout the dental follicle, but they were confined to the apical root area at P28. Double immunostaining for α-SMA and periostin demonstrated that α-SMA-positive cells localized to the outer side of periostin-positive area. Runx2-positive cells were visible in the α-SMA-positive region. TNAP-positive cells in the dental follicle localized nearer to alveolar bone than Runx2-positive cells. BSP was detected in osteoblasts as well as in alveolar bone matrix. These results demonstrate that α-SMA-positive cells localize on the alveolar bone side of the dental follicle and may play a role in alveolar bone formation.

Class II Antigen-presenting Dendritic Cell and Nerve Fiber Responses to Cavities, Caries, or Caries Treatment in Human Teeth

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule-expressing cells are distributed in human dental pulp, and have been shown to accumulate beneath caries lesions. The responses of these cells and nerve fibers were analyzed under 5 different clinical conditions: shallow and deep experimental cavities, active and slow untreated caries, and treated caries. Under deep cavities, class II molecule-expressing dendritic cells displaced the injured odontoblasts during a period of one month, while such a response was not observed in shallow cavities and untreated or treated carious teeth. The class II molecules seen in the neural elements under active caries were no longer detectable in treated carious teeth. However, six months after treatment, clusters consisting of dendritic cells, T-lymphocytes, and nerve fibers still remained locally in the subodontoblastic area. These results indicate that dental pulps respond differently to cavity preparation and restoration between normal and caries conditions, and that immunoresponses persist for many months, even after caries treatment.

Expression and localization of laminin-5 subunits in the mouse incisor.

Abstract Laminin-5 is associated with several epithelial tissues and forms part of the anchoring filaments of hemidesmosomes. Recent data have shown that the expression of laminin-5 subunits is impaired in junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), and, in these patients, enamel hypoplasia is commonly observed. Rodent incisors are continuously growing teeth with an asymmetry between their labial and lingual sides. Enamel matrix formation is restricted to the labial side. We have analyzed the changes in the expression and localization of laminin-5 subunits (α3, β3, and γ2) in lower incisors of the mouse. The apical loop located at the end of the labial side contained stem cells and showed expression for all laminin-5 subunits. In the anterior direction, the inner dental epithelial cells (IDE) transiently lost the immunoreactivity for all subunits, whereas the transcripts for the β3 subunit remained in the IDE. All subunit mRNAs and proteins were expressed in ameloblasts facing predentine and also in secretory and maturation stage ameloblasts. Enamel matrix contained laminin-5. On the lingual side, the expression of laminin-5 subunits was continuous from the epithelial root sheath to the epithelial rests of Malassez in the periodontal ligament. These results suggest that spatial and temporal regulation of laminin-5 subunits correlates with the histogenesis of the dental organ, ameloblast differentiation, and enamel formation and also that laminin-5 plays a role in the adhesion between dental epithelial cells and the extracellular matrix (enamel or dentine) in areas where the dental basement membrane is absent.

A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopic Study of The Immunofluorescent Localization of Fibronectin in The Odontoblast Layer of Human Teeth

The distribution of fibronectin in dental pulp was studied in developing and developed human teeth by indirect immunofluorescence using a confocal laser scanning microscope. In the apical region of developing teeth, intense fluorescence was found along the basement membrane facing the mesenchyme of Hertwigs epithelial sheath and first-formed (mantle) predentine. With further elongation of odontoblasts, fibronectin was observed between the cells, appearing as corkscrew fibres passing from the pulp into predentine parallel to the long axis of the odontoblasts. In the coronal region of developing and developed teeth a similar distribution of fibronectin was observed in the odontoblast layer. At the border zone between odontoblasts and predentine the reaction was intense, but was weak in the predentine itself. In the calcified dentinal matrix it had disappeared completely, except for the area along the dentinal tubules. The results demonstrate that fibronectin is present in the odontoblast layer during all stages of dentinogenesis. Fibronectin-positive fibrous structures between odontoblasts probably correspond to von Korff fibres, and are closely related to odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis.

Effects of antibacterial capping agents on dental pulps of monkeys mechanically exposed to oral microflora.

The effects of antibacterial drugs on bacterially contaminated dental pulps were investigated in monkeys. Class V buccal cavities with pulpal exposures were prepared and then left open to the oral environment for 24 h. The exposed pulps were capped with alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) containing a mixture of antibacterial drugs. Either alpha-TCP or Ca(OH)2 was used as a control. Pulpal responses were histologically evaluated after 4 wk. Those teeth capped with alpha-TCP alone showed total pulp necrosis and bacterial growth within the pulp chamber. By contrast, the pulps capped with alpha-TCP containing mixed antibacterial drugs remained almost normal without any necrotic layer, but showed persistent absorbing response to capping materials and no signs of hard tissue barrier formation. In teeth capped with Ca(OH)2, a hard tissue barrier was formed below the exposure site, with a wide loss of pulp tissue. No inflammation was seen under the barrier. These results indicate that mixed antibacterial drugs added to alpha-TCP effectively disinfected pulpal lesions, without destroying any of the sound pulp tissue. However, hard tissue barrier formation was delayed by this mixture as compared with Ca(OH)2.