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Expression of cytokeratins in enamel organ, junctional epithelium and epithelial cell rests of Malassez
Author(s) -
Li S.,
Ge S.,
Yang P.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1111/jre.12272
Subject(s) - junctional epithelium , ameloblast , epithelium , immunoperoxidase , enamel organ , pathology , keratin 14 , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , enamel paint , medicine , immunology , dentistry , genetics , transgene , genetically modified mouse , gene , antibody , monoclonal antibody
Background and Objective After tooth formation is complete, it is suggested that continuity exists between the epithelial cell rests of Malassez ( ERM ), reduced enamel epithelium ( REE ) and subsequently the junctional epithelium. However, the junctional epithelium was reported to differ from REE and ERM . The developmental relationships between and among them remain controversial. Therefore, in the present study we examined the expression of cytokeratins in the three types of epithelia to investigate the epithelial phenotypes. Material and Methods The maxillae of Wistar rats, 1, 2, 3 and 7 wk of age, were used, and the expression of CK 14, CK 17, CK 19, CK 10/ CK 13 and AE 1/ AE 3 was detected using immunoperoxidase techniques. Results There was negative staining for CK 10/ CK 13 in all the epithelia. ERM stained strongly for AE 1/ AE 3, CK 14, CK 17 and CK 19. During the transformation of inner enamel epithelial ( IEE ) cells into reduced ameloblasts and subsequently into junctional epithelium, strong staining for CK 14 was evident in IEE , REE and junctional epithelium, whereas the expression of AE 1/ AE 3 and of CK 19 were initially negative in IEE and then strong in REE and junctional epithelium, respectively. In particular, the expression of CK 17 was strongly positive in ERM and REE , but was negative in IEE and junctional epithelium. Conclusion ERM are of odontogenic origin and junctional epithelium has an epithelial phenotype different from REE and ERM . This is the first report to demonstrate that CK 17 can be used as a marker to distinguish junctional epithelium from ERM .