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N‐Cadherin Expression During Periodontal Ligament Cell Differentiation In Vitro
Author(s) -
Lin WenLang,
Chien HuaHong,
Cho MoonIl
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1999.70.9.1039
Subject(s) - periodontal fiber , cadherin , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cell , dentistry , biology , medicine , biochemistry
Background: When confluent periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex), ascorbic acid (AA), and β‐glycerophosphate (GP), they underwent sequential differentiation, demonstrating distinct morphological characteristics. At 1 week, localized cell proliferation led to the formation of multilayers of cells. As cell differentiation progressed, they formed nodules by deposition of matrix in the clusters of cells at 2 weeks, and mineralized the nodules at 3 weeks. These changes implicate extensive cell‐to‐cell interactions. Cadherins are known to play an important role in establishing cell contacts during tissue formation. Methods: To determine whether cadherins are involved in PDL cell differentiation, and the formation and mineralization of nodules by the cells in vitro, we investigated the expression of N‐cadherin using immunofluorescence labeling and Northern blot analysis. Results: Immunolabeling showed that N‐cadherin was expressed in PDL cells in the stages of nodule formation and mineralization. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a 3‐fold increase in the expression of N‐cadherin mRNA in the stages. However, neither E‐cadherin nor P‐cadherin was expressed. Conclusions: Our data suggest that N‐cadherin may play an important role in PDL cell differentiation and the formation of mineralized nodules by PDL cells. J Periodontol 1999;70:1039‐1045.