Glycosaminoglycans of the odontoblast-predentine layer in dentinogenically active porcine teeth

Glycosaminoglycans accelerate biomimetic collagen mineralization in a tissue-based in vitro model

Mammalian teeth are attached to the jawbone through an exquisitely controlled mineralization process: unmineralized collagen fibers of the periodontal ligament anchor directly into the outer layer of adjoining mineralized tissues (cementum and bone). The sharp interface between mineralized and nonmineralized collagenous tissues makes this an excellent model to study the mechanisms by which extracellular matrix macromolecules control collagen mineralization. While acidic phosphoproteins, localized in the mineralized tissues, play key roles in control of mineralization, the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is less clear. As several proteoglycans are found only in the periodontal ligament, it has been hypothesized that these inhibit mineralization of collagen in this tissue. Here we used an in vitro model based on remineralization of mouse dental tissues to determine the role of matrix GAGs in control of mineralization. GAGs were selectively removed from demineralized mouse periodontal sections via enzymatic digestion. Proteomic analysis confirmed that enzymatic GAG removal does not significantly alter protein content. Analysis of remineralized tissue sections by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that GAG removal reduced the rate of remineralization in mineralized tissues compared to the untreated control, while the ligament remained unmineralized. Protein removal with trypsin also reduced the rate of mineralization, but to a lesser extent than GAG removal, despite a much larger effect on protein content. These results indicate that GAGs promote mineralization in mineralized dental tissues rather than inhibiting mineral formation in the ligament, which may have broader implications for understanding control of collagen mineralization in connective tissues.

Identification, partial characterization, and distribution of versican and link protein in bovine dental pulp

The dynamics of changes in the cellularity and extracellular matrix composition of dental pulp varies considerably during tooth development and maturation. In this paper, we studied matrix proteoglycans where we hypothesized that they played important roles in structural, spatial, and transport aspects of pulpal development and maintenance. The pulpal tissue was collected from partially erupted bovine incisors, pulverized, and then extracted with 6 M guanidine-HCl. The extract was subjected to anion column chromatography (DEAE-8HR), and the fractions collected were screened by dot-blot immunoassay by means of monoclonal antibodies generated against 4- and 6-sulfated chondroitin sulfate isomers, and keratan sulfate, 2-B-6, 3-B-3, and 5-D-4, respectively. The chondroitin-6-sulfate was the major glycosaminoglycan species and occurred as a large-molecular-weight proteoglycan (> 500 kDa). After further purification, it was subjected to agarose/acrylamide composite gel electrophoresis, and it migrated as a single band stained with Stains-All. The band was immunopositive against antibody 3-B-3 by Western blot analysis. The partial amino acid sequence analyses of the core protein clearly indicated this molecule to be versican. The presence of link protein was also confirmed by Western blot analysis with an anti-link protein monoclonal antibody, 8-A-4. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study indicated that the distributions of versican and link protein coincide in the dental pulp and are enriched in the peripheral area of the tissue just beneath the odontoblast layer. Since the dental pulp contains hyaluronan, versican may bind to hyaluronan via its hyaluronan-binding domain, where this association is stabilized by link protein. This complex, then, could form large hydrated proteoglycan aggregates that fill the extracellular space, support odontoblasts, and/or facilitate the transport function of metabolites and nutrients within the tissue.

Immunochemical localization of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan lumican in human predentine and dentine

The immunocalization of the small interstitial leucine-rich keratan sulphate proteoglycan lumican was studied in human teeth using a polyclonal antibody towards lumican and a standard indirect peroxidase technique. There was intense labelling for lumican in predentine, with immunopositivity also observed in and around the tubules, around the odontoblasts and in the pulp with a fibrillar distribution. The previous reported ability of lumican to control collagen fibrillogenesis and it putative function in collagen spacing suggest potential roles for lumican in predentine in relation to mineralization.

Localization of chondroitin sulphate and dermatan sulphate in human dental pulps--an immunohistochemical study

The distribution of dermatan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate in human dental pulps has been assessed using monoclonal antibodies and immunoperoxidase localization techniques. The pulpal tissues were reacted with specific antibodies following pretreatment of the sections with chondroitinase ACII or chondroitinase ABC. Both the 4- and 6-sulphates isomers of chondroitin sulphate were detected in the tissues studied. Very little dermatan sulphate could be detected. These glycosaminoglycans appeared throughout the pulpal connective tissues with a particularly strong localization to the region adjacent to the odontoblastic and predentine layers. Such distribution strongly implicates chondroitin sulphate in the mineralization process of human dentine.

Dentin mineralization and the role of odontoblasts in calcium transport

Dentin is formed by two simultaneous processes, in which the odontoblasts are instrumental--the formation of the collagenous matrix, and mineral crystal formation in this matrix. This pattern of formation is similar to that of bone, another mineralized connective tissue. Dentin and bone also have chemical compositions which are similar but with distinct differences. It is of fundamental importance to understand how the ions constituting the inorganic phase are transported from the circulation to the site of mineral formation and how this transport is regulated. For dentinogenesis, calcium is essentially the only ion for which data are available. Recent evidence suggests that a major portion of the Ca2+ ions are transported by a transcellular route, thus being under cellular control. The cells maintain a delicate Ca2+ ion balance by the concerted action of transmembraneous transport mechanisms, including Ca-ATPase, Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and calcium channels, and of intracellular Ca(2+)-binding proteins. The net effect of this is a maintenance of a submicromolar intracellular Ca2+ activity, and an extracellular accumulation of Ca2+ ions in predentin, at the mineralization front. Predentin can be regarded as a zone of formation and maturation of the scaffolding collagen web of the dentin organic matrix. In addition to collagen, it contains little but proteoglycan. Simultaneous with mineral formation, additional non-collagenous macromolecules are added to the extracellular matrix of dentin, these presumably being transported within the odontoblast process. Among these are highly phosphorylated dentin phosphoprotein (phosphophoryn) and another pool of proteoglycan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action of metalloproteinases on porcine dentin mineralization

Samples containing predentin and mineralized dentin involving the mineralized front (newly formed dentin) were prepared by scraping developing porcine teeth after odontoblastic cell debris had been removed from the predentin surfaces. An extract was obtained separately from the matrices of predentin and of the newly formed dentin with a 4 M guanidine solution before and after demineralization with acetic acid solution. Enzymography detected 56 and 61 kDa gelatinases and 25 kDa proteoglycanase as neutral metalloproteinases in both extracts and proved them to be in an active form. Approximately half of the 56 and 61 kDa gelatinases binds to collagen fibers in predentin matrix. Three high molecular weight proteoglycans (70-85 kDa, 130-180 kDa, and 290 kDa) were found in the predentin matrix, but not in the newly formed dentin. The proteoglycanases in predentin degraded 290 kDa proteoglycan, if incubated together with calcium (Ca) ions. The results of this investigation indicate that active proteoglycanases which existed in the predentin perform no substantial work in proteoglycan degradation because the Ca ions are masked in the predentin matrix by coexisting proteoglycans. When mineralization occurs, however, they can degrade the proteoglycan at the mineralization front because excess Ca ions may be supplied via odontoblastic processes.

A chondroitin sulfate epitope in mammalian dental pulp and its developmental expression in mouse dental papilla

The molecular specificity of the dental papilla of a bell-stage tooth was studied by production of dental-papilla-reactive monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). One of the Mabs, designated 7C5, recognized an epitope present in glycosaminoglycan. Several lines of evidence suggested that the 7C5-epitope consists of chondroitin 6-sulfate. The Mab did not react with mouse dental epithelium, but reacted uniformly with mesenchymal tissue in the mandibular process and accumulated in the dental sac and in the papilla of bell-stage tooth germs. The 7C5-staining was lost from the differentiating odontoblasts, while the staining in the molar tooth papilla was accumulated in the subodontoblastic layer. In the developing mouse incisor, the 7C5-epitope was restricted to the lingual-posterior area. The 7C5-epitope was also present in pulpal tissue and predentin of different types of teeth of various mammalian species, including man, sheep, swine, and rat. Collagenase pre-treatment of tissue sections abolished the bulk of the 7C5-reactivity in peridental mesenchyme during embryonic stages while leaving the staining of the dental papilla intact. In newborn and adult teeth, collagenase also impaired the reactivity in the pulp except for the subodontoblastic layer. This suggests the existence of different subpopulations of the 7C5-epitope containing proteoglycans in dental papilla and pulp. A high-molecular-weight proteoglycan, sensitive to chondroitinase ABC but not to heparinase or heparitinase, was immunoprecipitated by 7C5 from extracts of bell-stage mouse tooth germs. We suggest that the evolutionary conservation of chondroitin 6-sulfate in the dental pulp reflects its properties as non-terminally differentiated tissue and perhaps the retention of a potential to differentiate to odontoblasts.

Dentinogenesis

The formation of dentin, dentinogenesis, comprises a sophisticated interplay between several factors in the tissue, cellular as well as extracellular. Dentin may be regarded as a calcified connective tissue. In this respect, as well as in its mode of formation, it is closely related to bone. Using dentinogenesis as an experimental model to study biomineralization provides several practical advantages, and the results may be extrapolated to understand similar processes in other tissues, primarily bone. After describing dentin structure and composition, this review discusses items such as the morphology of dentinogenesis; the dentinogenically active odontoblast, transport, and concentrations of mineral ions; the constituents of the dentin organic matrix; and the presumed mechanisms involved in mineral formation.

Dentin matrix proteins: composition and possible functions in calcification

Dentin may be regarded as a mineralized connective tissue. In its composition as well as its mode of formation, dentin exhibits several similarities with bone, but also definite differences. The dentin organic phase, the matrix, determines its morphology and is believed to be instrumental in the formation of the mineral phase. A fibrous web of collagen type I dominates the organic matrix. Also, minor amounts of other collagen types may be present. The noncollagenous proteins (NCPs), which constitute about 10% of the matrix, fall into several categories: phosphoproteins, Gla-proteins of the osteocalcin type as well as matrix Gla-protein, proteoglycans, different acidic glycoproteins, and serum proteins. Some of these NCPs have unique chemical compositions that give them specific properties. Dentinogenesis occurs by two simultaneous processes: the formation of a collagenous web in predentin, which is followed by the formation of the inorganic phase at the mineralization front. The composition of the predentin organic matrix differs from that of dentin, as some NCP components are secreted extracellularly just in advance of the mineralization front. In addition, some constituents of predentin seem to be metabolized. The NCPs may be important to several processes during dentinogenesis. Much evidence indicates that noncollagenous components in the matrix are instrumental in mineral formation. New data show that polyanionic NCPs, such as phosphoprotein and proteoglycans, when immobilized on a solid support, induce apatite formation under physiological conditions. These data indicate that polyanionic NCPs may function as mineral nucleators in vivo. They may also act as size and rate regulators for crystallization and promote calcium ion diffusion in the tissue. In addition, NCPs may regulate collagen fibrillogenesis.

Changes in levels of osteonectin in bovine dentine during tooth development

Bovine incisors were classified into three developmental stages and non-collagenous proteins extracted from them. Sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis of the extracts showed a reduction in osteonectin with the various stages. The reduction was confirmed by enzyme immunoassay using antiserum against bone osteonectin. This change is in contrast to dentine phosphoprotein, indicating functional differences between these two proteins.

Quantitative assessment of collagen crosslinks in dissected predentin and dentin

Dentinogenesis offers a unique system for the study of changes in collagen structure occurring simultaneously with mineralization. Bovine dentin was found to contain about one reducible crosslink per collagen molecule; rat dentin contained twice this amount. In contrast, bovine dentin contained twice as much pyridinium crosslink as did rat dentin collagen. These results indicate that the collagen in rat teeth is less mature and again emphasize the difference in composition between the organic matrices of rat and bovine dentin. In dissected bovine predentin, the unmineralized precursor of dentin, the content of reducible crosslinks was almost double that of dentin. Only minute amounts of non-reducible crosslinks were found in predentin, whereas both pyridinoline and deoxy-pyridinoline were present in collagen from mineralized dentin. The observed differences in crosslinking between predentin and dentin of the same teeth may indicate some alterations within the area of mineralization.

Aspiration and characterization of predentin fluid in developing rat teeth by means of a micropuncture and micro-analytical technique

A fluid phase was aspirated in vivo and in vitro from predentin or pulp of developing rat teeth by means of a micropuncture technique. Pooled aspirates (approx. 2 nL) were analyzed for P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and S by electron probe microtechniques (Lechene and Warner, 1979). Compared with pulp fluid, currently and previously studied cartilage fluids, as well as serum, predentin fluid showed elevated K, depressed Na, Cl, and Ca, as well as increased P. Statistical analysis was possible for only a few groups of comparisons among the elemental profiles. Ultrastructural examination of the aspiration site and of the aspirates showed no evidence of contamination with cell organelles or other formed elements. The micropuncture technique used was a critically precise and laborious procedure; possible contamination with intracellular fluid could not be avoided. The consistently low Mg concentration found in the aspirates, however, supports our view that the samples were primarily extracellular.

Localization and synthesis of type III collagen and fibronectin in human reparative dentine. Immunoperoxidase and immunogold staining

The injury of dental pulp tissue, following caries, is accompanied by the deposit of a typical hard scar tissue known as reparative dentine which should be regarded as the mineralization of a new organic matrix. Highly purified antibodies were used in combination with immunoperoxidase or immunogold technique at the ultrastructural level to reveal the distribution and synthesis of types I and III collagen and fibronectin elaborated by typical matrix-forming cells in the new tissue. Specific immunoperoxidase labelling, on demineralized teeth, clearly demonstrated that type I collagen represents the main type of collagen (88%). It is associated with bundles of fine striated fibrils of type III collagen and in close vicinity with fibronectin and constituted, at least, the new organic matrix of reparative dentine. Immunogold staining gave precise localization mainly over Golgi apparatus for the 3 components, thus suggesting that the cells concerned should not be considered as new odontoblasts but rather as pulpal cells in the process of differentiation participating in the formation of new dentine. Moreover, these events are very similar to those observed during wound healing in other tissues.

Root-analogue versus crown-analogue dentin: a radioautographic and ultrastructural investigation of the mouse incisor

The present paper reports on differences between the root- and crown-analogue dentin portions of the continuously growing mouse incisor. Conventional light microscopy and radioautography were used to study dentin formation and the uptake of [3H]-proline and [3H]-serine. It was found that, although the dentin apposition rate along the crown-analogue part (covered by enamel) equalled or slightly exceeded that along the root-analogue part (covered by cementum), the processing of predentin into dentin was considerably faster in the root aspect. Comparison of the two dentin portions at the ultrastructural level revealed that differences occurred in the morphology of the secretory granules of the odontoblast layer. Two types of granules were observed: those that were and those that were not loaded with electron-dense particles of 30 nm diameter. While the former type was most frequent along the crown-analogue aspect of the incisor, the latter type was particularly found along its root-analogue aspect. This difference may reflect differences between the two dentin portions in the composition of the noncollagenous matrix.

Immunohistochemical localization of types I and III collagen and fibronectin in the dentine of carious human teeth

Reparative dentine formed as a response to caries was mostly type I collagen similar to that of normal dentine. The predentine related to reparative dentine reacted positively with antisera to types I and III collagen and to fibronectin. Normal odontoblasts and their processes reacted positively both with types I and III collagen antibodies. Fibronectin was related to odontoblasts and their processes pericellularly. Odontoblasts appeared not to lose totally their developmental ability to synthesize type III-like molecules after maturation. Pulp fibroblasts reacted positively both with types I and III antibodies as well as antifibronectin. The cell-free and cell-rich zones revealed a dense layer of fibres reacting positively with type III collagen and fibronectin antibodies. The width of these zones were reduced in relation to reparative dentine.

Odontoblast differentiation and the formation of the odontoblast layer

Origin, cell kinetics, and phenotypic aspects of odontoblast cell lineage are described. Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions regulate odontoblast differentiation. These interactions appear to be mediated by the extracellular matrix. Possible molecular mechanisms of cell-matrix interactions are discussed. Questions still unanswered are recommended for investigation.

The extracellular matrix of the dental pulp and dentin

The dental pulp is a loose connective tissue, characterized by its specific anatomical location. Its extracellular components are obvious subjects for study, since such components are largely responsible for the physiological properties of the tissue. Several clinically important processes occur extracellularly, e.g., defense mechanisms such as inflammatory reactions and formation of calcified tissue. The dental mesenchyme has a crucial role during early tooth morphogenesis. The dental pulp, or rather the dental papilla, seems to have only an indirect role during dentinogenesis. This review discusses proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, fibronectin and other non-collagenous proteins, and the different types of collagen that have been studied in pulp connective tissue. With regard to its biochemical constituents, the pulp is similar to other loose connective tissues. Collagen type I is the major fibrous component, but collagen type III also constitutes a large portion. Fibronectin is present, as is a high content of proteoglycan. In the proteoglycans, all normally occurring connective tissue glycosaminoglycans can be demonstrated. The composition of the pulpal extracellular matrix during tooth development is quite different from that of the mature tooth. Thus, it is important not to draw any too-far-reaching conclusions about the situation in human pulp from results obtained by studying pulp from animal teeth with ongoing dentinogenesis. In spite of their common ancestry, pulp and dentin differ considerably in extracellular matrix composition. Proteoglycans and collagen type I are present in dentin. No type III collagen or fibronectin can be found in the dentin, although it is present in the dental pulp.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Incorporation of [35S]sulphate into glycosaminoglycans by mineralized tissues in vivo

To investigate the metabolism of proteoglycans in young growing rats, calvaria, incisors, femoral diaphysis and metaphysis were labelled in vivo for 0.5-72 h with [35S]sulphate. At each time point the specific radioactivity, expressed as c.p.m. of [35S]sulphate/micrograms of uronic acid, of papain-resistant macromolecules in each tissue was determined. The identity of the glycosaminoglycans was established by the use of specific enzymic and chemical methods of degradation. Incorporation of the label into each tissue was maximal at 12 h; it then declined to 50-75% of that value by 72 h. Chondroitin sulphate was the predominant glycosaminoglycan in each tissue, representing 80-96% of the total; heparan sulphate comprised 2-14% of the total; in general, radioactive material sensitive to keratanase comprised less than 1% of the total. The relative amount of labelled chondroitin sulphate increased, whereas that of heparan sulphate decreased, with increasing time of incorporation. These data show that 25-50% of the newly synthesized glycosaminoglycans are lost from mineralizing tissues, during the time in which the newly secreted organic matrix becomes mineralized.

Isolation and partial characterization of proteoglycans from rat incisors

Newly synthesized proteoglycans of rat incisors were labelled in vivo for 6h with [35S]-sulphate in order to facilitate their detection during purification and characterization. Proteoglycans were extracted from non-mineralized portions (predentine) of rat incisors with 4M-guanidinium chloride and subsequently from dentine by demineralization with a 0.4M-EDTA solution containing 4M-guanidinium chloride. Both extractions were performed at 4 degrees C in the presence of proteinase inhibitors. Purification of proteoglycans was achieved with a procedure involving gel-filtration chromatography, selective precipitation of phosphoproteins, affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. Two proteoglycan populations were found in the initial extract (Pd-PG I and Pd-PG II), whereas only one fraction (D-PG) was obtained after demineralization. The minor proteoglycan fraction from the first extract, Pd-PG I, although not totally characterized, differed sharply from the other proteoglycans in that it had a larger molecular size with larger glycosaminoglycan chains composed of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulphate isomers. In contrast, the major proteoglycans Pd-PG II and D-PG had smaller hydrodynamic sizes with smaller glycosaminoglycan chains (but larger than those from bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycans) composed exclusively of chondroitin 4-sulphate. The major proteoglycans were incapable of interacting with hyaluronic acid. In general, the amino acid compositions of the major proteoglycans of rat incisors resembled that of bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycans, but the former had lower proline, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and higher aspartic acid, contents.

Effects of vitamin A deficiency on rat incisor formation

Vitamin A deficiency (A-) is known to cause morphologic changes in tooth structures. However, its effects on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) distribution in dental pulp, and the role of retinoic acid (RA) in altering these effects are not clearly defined. Tissue changes induced by vitamin A deficiency and RA administration were evaluated histologically in incisors of rats fed on one of 3 different diets: a) vitamin A sufficient (A+); b) vitamin A deficient (A-); and c) vitamin A deficient supplemented with retinoic acid (A-/RA). Four weeks after the onset of vitamin A deficiency, all rats were killed and their 4 continuously erupting incisors evaluated histologically. A- rats had altered dentine and pulp with disrupted histodifferentiation of pulpal mesenchymal cells to normal odontoblasts. The frequency of these abnormalities in dentine and pulp was lower in A-/RA rats. The enamel organ was unremarkable in the 4-week deficient period. Using special stains, we noted that pulpal GAG accumulation in A- and A-/RA rats was limited to the lingual area, while in A+ rats, GAG were distributed throughout. These data suggest that vitamin A deficiency affects histodifferentiation of pulpal mesenchymal cells to odontoblasts, as well as GAG distribution in pulp. RA administration reduces the A- changes and therefore, appears to have some activity in dentinogenesis.

Further evidence of an intravesicular Ca2+- pump in odontoblasts from rat incisors

Intracellular vesicles containing alkaline phosphatases were isolated from isolated odontoblasts using several centrifugation techniques, gradient media and filtering procedures. With a combined centrifugation technique using 0.32 M sucrose layered on 1.23 M sucrose, a fraction containing alkaline phosphatases with a 36-40-fold increased specific activity was obtained. This fraction also revealed a high Ca2+-accumulating ability. The vesicle fraction was totally free from mitochondria but to some extent contaminated by lysosomes. Characteristics of Ca2+-uptake were obtained. The Ca2+-uptake was maximal at 37-40 degrees C whereas no Ca2+-accumulated at 4 degrees C. Temperatures above 40 degrees C strongly inhibited Ca2+-uptake. ATP was the most potent stimulator of Ca2+-uptake whereas ITP, GTP, CTP, ADP, PPi and AMP also promoted Ca2+-uptake. Cysteine, EDTA and Triton X-100 were inhibitory to Ca2+-uptake. A correlation between alkaline phosphatases in intracellular vesicles as well as their relation to extracellular matrix vesicles and to the mineralization process is suggested.

Non-collagenous proteins of predentine from dentinogenically active bovine teeth

Predentin(e) was dissected out from unerupted permanent bovine teeth. The non-collagenous proteins were extracted at -13 degrees C by 4 M-guanidinium chloride containing proteinase inhibitors and separated by DEAE-Sepharose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. In addition to a few minor constituents, the only major non-collagenous components that could be demonstrated were albumin and proteoglycan. The localization of the former, demonstrated by optical-microscopical immunochemistry, was such that it was concluded that albumin is not a constituent of predentin matrix. Very low amounts of phosphoprotein were found in predentin matrix. This was of two types, high- and low-phosphorylated. Larger amounts of phosphoprotein were not present until the dissection was carried deeper into newly formed dentin(e). On the basis of the present results and previously obtained morphological data the conclusion was drawn that predentin matrix, containing virtually only collagen type I and proteoglycan, is similar in composition to that of loose connective tissue and primarily aimed at the production and maturation of collagen fibres. Only immediately before the mineralization front are the non-collagenous protein components secreted that initiate and govern calcium-phosphate mineral formation.

Analysis of dentine glycosaminoglycans using high-performance liquid chromatography

Puppy dentine was prepared using ultracentrifugation of tooth powder in organic density gradients. The glycosaminoglycans of the obtained tissue fraction were prepared after papain digestion and beta-elimination, using preparative chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and CPC-cellulose. These polysaccharide fractions were analyzed using highly sensitive HPLC procedures. One such HPLC procedure allowed hyaluronic acid to be determined in less than microgram amounts. The glycosaminoglycans thus prepared consisted only of chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate, and small amounts of highly hybridized dermatan sulfate, while the experiments failed to demonstrate even trace amounts of keratan sulfate, hyaluronic acid or heparan sulfate.

Chromatography on DEAE-cellulose microcolumns: a quantitative method for the fractionation of small quantities of glycosaminoglycans

A simple, sensitive, and efficient method is described for qualitative and quantitative determination of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) synthesized by embryonic mouse teeth. After release from proteoglycan aggregates by enzymatic treatment, a mixture of different GAG was absorbed on a DEAE-cellulose microcolumn (Whatman DE-52 microgranular) at low salt concentration. The different types of GAG were eluted by stepwise increases in the concentration of NaCl. Glycopeptides, which generally contaminate the extract, can be completely removed prior to the elution of GAG. The eluate fractions were analyzed by rechromatography on the same column, using gradient elution. The stepwise elution is suitable for analysis as well as preparation of labeled GAG, the supply of which is limited in amount. The scale of chromatography can easily be stepped up. Quantitative analysis of GAG from embryonic mouse teeth is presented to demonstrate the usefulness of this method.

Influence of bivalent cations, phosphate and complexing substances on inorganic pyrophosphate in the microsomal fraction of isolated rat odontoblasts

The influence of three diphosphonates, ethane-1-hydroxy 1.1. diphosphonate, methane-diphosphonate and dichloromethane diphosphonate, on inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPiase, E.C. 3.6.1.1.) was investigated. The inhibition by the diphosphonates appeared to be due to their complexation with a bivalent cation, probably Zn2+, which acts as a cofactor for the enzyme. The influence of calcium and inorganic phosphate (Pi) on the PPiase activity was studied in the presence and absence of several complexing substances, including the diphosphonates. Ca2+ alone inhibited the enzyme whereas, in the presence of EDTA, a Ca2+ stimulation of the PPiase was observed which was substrate-dependent and had an optimal activity at a Ca2+:PP4-i ratio of 1:1. There was a small inhibition of the PPiase activity by Pi which was not influenced by the substrate used.

Glycosaminoglycans in embryonic mouse teeth and the dissociated dental constituents

The nature, amounts and distribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) before and during odontoblast terminal differentiation were studied. GAG have been isolated from intact mouse tooth germs and from dissociated dental epithelia and dental papillae after labeling with [3H]glucosamine or 35SO2-(4) asd precursor. The kinds and relative amounts of 3H-labeled GAG were analyzed by chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column and cellulose thin-layer sheets. The amounts of individual GAG relative to total GAG were determined from the elution profiles, whereas their nature was identified by the selective removal of chromatographic peaks after enzymatic or chemical degradation. We found hyaluronate and probably a minute quantity of heparan sulfate in the dental epithelium, while hyaluronate, heparan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate were the main types of GAG in the dental papilla. The chondroitin sulfate recovered was further fractionated by cellulose thin-layer chromatography into two isomers, namely chondroitin-2-sulfate (the major component) and chondroitin-6-sulfate. Changes in the elution profile from DEAE-cellulose chromatography of tooth GAG extracted from different developmental stages suggest that modifications of GAG occur during odontogenesis. Alcian blue staining localized large amounts of hyaluronate and sulfated GAG along the epithelio-mesenchymal junction. Tissue specificity and changing patterns of GAG were demonstrated during odontogenesis.

Facts and hypotheses concerning the control of odontoblast differentiation

Numerous studies using amphibians have demonstrated that preodontoblasts emerging from the dental papilla are derived from cranial neural crest cells [4, 12, 46, 64]. However this has not been established for mammals. The history of odonotogenesis begins during the early stages of cranial-facial development when the maxillary and mandibular processes processes develop. Continuous epithelio-mesenchymal interactions condition the histogenesis and morphogenesis of the teeth [24-26, 43, 44, 49, 51, 58] as well as the terminal differentiation of odontoblasts and ameloblasts [23, 47, 52, 54, 59, 61, 67]. During recent years a considerable amount of experimental data relating to differentiation of odontoblasts has been published. We summarize these data and attempt to integrate them in deductive hypothesis concerning the control of odontoblast differentiation.

Synthesis of collagen type I, type I trimer and type III by embryonic mouse dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells in vitro

Epithelial and mesenchymal dental cells were grown in primary monolayer culture and the ability of both cell types to synthesize interstitial collagens was investigated. Pepsin-solubilized collagens were analyzed by CM-cellulose chromatography and both cell types were found to synthesize collagen type I, type III and type I trimer. The collagen phenotype of mesenchymal cells (type I: 82.4%, type III: 8.5%, type I trimer: 9.1%) was different from that of epithelial cells (type I: 71.8%, type III: 9.5%, type I trimer: 18.7%). The radioactivity incorporated into collagen molecules by mesenchymal cells was 34-times greater than the radioactivity incorporated by epithelial cells. This result agreed with previous observations obtained from tissue culture experiments (Lesot, H. and Ruch, J.V. (1979) Biol. Cell. 34, 23--37) which indicated a low synthesis of interstitial collagens by isolated dental epithelia when compared to isolated dental mesenchymes.

Mucopolysaccharidase activity in traumatized human deciduous teeth undergoing accelerated resorption: isolation and characterization

Mucopolysaccharidase activity was observed in traumatized human decidous teeth. Histochemical analysis of the periodontal ligaments from these teeth revealed a loss of film substrate metachromasia during incubation, indicating enzyme activity. Routine histology of these ligaments showed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate throughout this tissue. Biochemical analysis of the ligaments revealed a 10-fold increase of enzyme activity when incubation time was increased from 1 to 8 h. When compared to the enzyme activity measured during physiologic resorption, activity was increased. This suggests that the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate not observed in the tissues undergoing physiologic resorption may be responsible for the rapid resorption seen in traumatized deciduous teeth.

Identification and localization of a mucopolysaccharidase in human deciduous teeth

The presence of a mucopolysaccharidase in resorbing deciduous teeth was investigated using histochemical techniques. The loss of toluidine blue metachromasia within glycosaminoglycan film substrates indicated the presence of enzyme activity, and was related to physiologic resorption. Such activity was localized to the periodontal ligament of these teeth.

Isolation and preliminary characterization of epithelial-specific messenger ribonucleic acids and their products during embryonic tooth development

Experiments were designed to identify and characterize tissue-specific proteins involved in the process of tooth organogenesis. Epithelial and mesenchymal proteins were extracted from intact molar organs or mechanically separated tissues obtained from 25-day New Zealand White rabbit embryos. Labelling experiments with [35S]methionine followed by radioautography or gel electrophoresis and fluorography showed the presence of label only in epithelial proteins. Most of these proteins range from 43 000 mol.wt. and higher, except for one band of approx. 16 000 mol.wt. A mRNA fraction of 16--26S was isolated by ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradients. When translated in a reticulocyte-lysate cell-free system, the mRNA obtained from intact molar organs resulted in the synthesis of three proteins, of mol.wts. 65 000, 58 000 and 43 000. A similar mRNA fraction obtained from dental-pulp mesenchyme gave only the 43 000-mol.wt. protein, indicating that the 65 000- and 58 000-mol.wt. proteins are derived from epithelial cells.

Cathepsin D. Purification from rat liver and immunohistochemical demonstration in rat incisor

Rat liver cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) was purified using precipitation technique, ion exchange chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Rabbit anti-rat cathepsin D IgG was prepared and rat incisor teeth were cross-sectioned in a cryostat. These sections were incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-rat cathepsin D IgG. Marked fluorescence, indicating the localization of cathepsin D, could be seen over the odontoblast and predentin area. No specific fluorescence could be dmonstrated in the pulp connective tissue proper nor in the dentin.

Cathepsin D activity in isolated odontoblasts

The presence of an acid proteinase with a high activity has been demonstrated in isolated odontoblast-predentine material from dentinogenically active rat incisors. The enzyme was identified as cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5). The possible significance of the enzymatic degradation of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in the course of the calcification process is discussed.

Proteoglycans of dentine and predentine

A density gradient system is presented by which dentine and predentine are separated, leaving an intermediate fraction, which contains material from the mineralization front. From the fractions thus obtained the proteoglycans were extracted with 4 M guanidinium chloride and further purified in urea on a DEAE column. The glycosaminoglycans extracted from dentine appeared to be protein-bound, as judged from papain digestion experiments. The polydispersity of dentine proteoglycans seemed to depend, at least partly, upon the polydispersity of its glycosaminoglycans. The materials extracted from the three tissue fractions were ellted in a similar way from Sepharose 6 B, and the amino acid composition of the preparation was determined. The differing proteoglycan patterns of the three tissue fractions indicate a metabolism related to the mineralization front.

Cellular glycosaminoglycans in lymphocytes from patients with cystic fibrosis

Cellular glycosaminoglycans were isolated from lymphocytes from patients with cystic fibrosis and controls. The isolated glycosaminoglycans were fractionated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis, analyzed for glucosamine and galactosamine content, and subjected to hydrolysis with bovine testicular hyaluronidase. The total glycosaminoglycan content, the per cent glucosamine and galactosamine, and the distribution of cellular glycosaminoglycans in circulating lymphocytes in cystic fibrosis were no different from controls.

Glycosaminoglycans of EDTA soluble and insoluble dentin in dentinogenesis imperfecta type I

A study of glycoasminoglycans (GAGs) in dentinogenesis imperfecta Type I (DI I) revealed increased GAG in DI I EDTA soluble dentin as compared to controls. EDTA insoluble GAG contained less GAG than age-matched controls. The role of GAG in dentin pathosis is discussed.

The composition of the insoluble collagenous matrix of bovine predentine

Predentine obtained from bovine teeth by microdissection was extracted with EDTA and tris-NaCl solutions. The insoluble residue consisted mainly of collagen and resembled dentine collagen in overall amino acid composition. The residue differed in containing no detectable phosphoprotein, a much larger amount of collagen hexose and more non-collagenous glycoprotein, the neutral sugar composition of which was determined. Differences were also observed in the contents of reducible collagen cross-links. Half of the total phosphorus found in the predentine could not be accounted for solely by hydroxyapatite. The remainder was partly soluble and dialysable.

Oral findings in the Morquio syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis IV)

The Morquio syndrome is characterized by a specific pattern of platyspondylia, corneal opacities, keratosulfate excretion in the urine, and dental abnormalities. Oral examinations were performed on twelve patients with the condition. The maxillary anterior teeth were widely spaced and flared. The posterior teeth were tapered and had pointed cusp tips. The enamel was of normal hardness, and in some patients the surface was pitted. In roentgenograms, the enamel was less than one fourth its normal thickness but was of normal radiodensity. The prevalence of caries may have been reduced. The hard palates were broad and flat. The dental abnormalities in the Morquio syndrome are of a type that is unique among the group of genetic mucopolysaccharidoses. Our findings therefore support the conjecture that the biochemical defect in this condition is different from that which occurs in the other mucopolysaccharidoses.