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Changes in the cytoskeleton of cells within the periodontal ligament and dental pulp of the rat first molar tooth during ageing
Author(s) -
Moxham Bernard John,
Webb Philip Patrick,
Benjamin Michael,
Ralphs James Robert
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1998.tb02201.x
Subject(s) - periodontal fiber , molar , pulp (tooth) , ageing , dentistry , orthodontics , chemistry , medicine
The periodontal ligament and dental pulp connective tissues are foetal‐like, and their process of ageing may therefore differ from other tissues of mesenchymal origin. Several studies have already highlighted the lack of age changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), but more needs to be known about cellular changes. For this study, tissues from the first molar teeth of Wistar rats aged 12 wk and 104 wk were compared by immunolocalisation of cytoskeletal components. Tissues from the first molar were immunostained, employing a panel of 16 monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins, vimentin, F‐actin and tubulin. Within the pulp, labelling for vimentin in both odontoblasts and pulpal fibroblasts and F‐actin in the cell processes of odontoblasts was detected at both ages but with marked reduction in labelling in the older tissue. Within the periodontal ligament, vimentin labelling was weaker in the aged tissue, especially nearer the cementum. More significantly, the fibroblasts of the aged periodontal ligament expressed cytokeratin 19. In contrast to reports of little age change to the ECM, the cells of the pulp, and particularly the periodontal ligament, show marked changes to their cytoskeletal components.