Histochemical localization at the electron microscopic level of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the rat gingiva

The junctional epithelium: from health to disease

The junctional epithelium is located at a strategically important interface between the gingival sulcus, populated with bacteria, and the periodontal soft and mineralized connective tissues that need protection from becoming exposed to bacteria and their products. Its unique structural and functional adaptation enables the junctional epithelium to control the constant microbiological challenge. The antimicrobial defense mechanisms of the junctional epithelium, however, do not preclude the development of gingival and periodontal lesions. The conversion of the junctional to pocket epithelium, which is regarded as a hallmark in disease initiation, has been the focus of intense research in recent years. Research has shown that the junctional epithelial cells may play a much more active role in the innate defense mechanisms than previously assumed. They synthesize a variety of molecules directly involved in the combat against bacteria and their products. In addition, they express molecules that mediate the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes toward the bottom of the gingival sulcus. Periodontopathogens-such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans or, in particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis-have developed sophisticated methods to perturb the structural and functional integrity of the junctional epithelium. Research has focused on the direct effects of gingipains, cysteine proteinases produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, on junctional epithelial cells. These virulence factors may specifically degrade components of the cell-to-cell contacts. This review will focus on the unique structural organization of the junctional epithelium, on the nature and functions of the various molecules expressed by its cells, and on how gingipains may attenuate the junctional epithelium's structural and functional integrity.

Detection and possible biological role of chondroitinase and heparitinase enzymes produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis W50

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chondroitin-4-sulphate (C-4-S) have received increased attention as potential indicators of periodontal tissue turnover. However, little is known about the relationship between crevicular fluid connective tissue metabolites and microbial factors. In this study Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontopathogen, was investigated for its ability to degrade the GAGs C-4-S, dermatan sulphate (DS) and heparan sulphate (HS) in vitro. The effect of P. gingivalis extracts on the proteoglycans (PG) derived from human gingiva were also investigated. The presence of chondroitinase and heparitinase eliminase enzymes were identified from the vesicle fraction of P. gingivalis W50. These enzymes were extracted from the vesicle fraction by a differential centrifugation technique and partially purified by non-denaturing gel filtration chromatography which revealed heparitinase enzyme peaks at 200 and 150 kDa and chondroitinase at 70 kDa. Gingival proteoglycans for use as substrates were purified using 4 M guanidinium chloride extraction and anion exchange chromatography; these proteoglycans contained 48% DS, 27% C-4-S and 13% HS P. gingivalis chondroitinase and heparitinase enzymes were capable of the degradation of C-4-S and HS but not DS GAGs. The presence of chondroitinase enzymes produced by P. gingivalis may influence levels of connective tissue metabolites in crevicular fluid. Furthermore these enzymes, particularly the heparitinase, may be involved in the initial permeation of the gingival epithelium, permitting the ingress of further microbial virulence factors.

Turnover in periodontal connective tissues: dynamic homeostasis of cells, collagen and ground substances

The connective tissues of the periodontium are composed of two soft tissues and two hard tissues--each of which has unique features. This review considers the constituents of normal, healthy periodontal connective tissues together with an appraisal of the changes in the connective tissue matrices of the periodontium which occur during the development of periodontitis. Recent developments in this field have paved the way for new and exciting vistas in periodontal diagnosis and regeneration which, ultimately, are two important goals in periodontal therapy.

Ultrastructural localization of glycosaminoglycans in human gingival connective tissue using cupromeronic blue

Human gingiva was stained with cupromeronic blue according to Scott's critical electrolyte concentration technique in order to localize glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the electron microscope. Identification was performed by digestion with chondroitinase AC, ABC and heparinase. The GAG were localized in three compartments of the connective tissue: the supra-alveolar fiber apparatus, the loose connective tissue and the basement membranes. In the supra-alveolar fiber apparatus, consisting mainly of densely packed parallel collagen fibrils, dermatan sulfate GAG are regularly attached to the d-band of the collagen fibrils. The precipitates (6-7 nm in diameter) aggregate to thicker precipitates (up to 16 nm), thus possibly providing stability to the fiber system. In the loose connective tissue with sparse collagen fibrils dermatan and chondroitin sulfate GAG form very large precipitates (up to 30 nm in diameter and 400 nm length) which interconnect the few collagen fibrils. The basement membranes of the epithelium and capillary endothelium contain heparan sulfate GAG as fine precipitates (4-6 nm in diameter) which form a meshwork. These findings are consistent with the Scott model (1) for the interactions among glycans and glycans and collagen fibrils in connective tissues.

The epithelial attachment and the dental junctional epithelium: ultrastructural features in porcine molars

The region of epithelial apposition with a tooth surface is the site of an unusual stratified integument, the junctional epithelium, which combines tight attachment to the tooth, cell turnover, tissue permeability, and epithelial versatility into the first line of defense against periodontal destruction by oral pathogens. To better understand the structure and function of the junctional epithelium we have reviewed its developmental and cell biology, and undertaken a multidisciplinary analysis of its composition in the pig, an omnivore whose dietary and dental development and occlusion patterns are similar to the human condition, and which, because of its size, is more readily amenable to experimental manipulation. The porcine junctional epithelium was also compared with this well-described epithelium in the rat. Morphological analyses by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed the porcine junctional epithelium and epithelial attachment were similar to that in the rat except that apically, extracellular matrix lamellae associated with the internal basal lamina were more complex, and more coronally there was extensive layering of a dental cuticle-like material. Biochemical analysis of the porcine junctional epithelium by dissociative extraction and SDS-PAGE revealed the presence of some proteins not present in gingival epithelium. Together, these studies show that the porcine junctional epithelium has predictable morphological and biochemical features which establish the pig as an advantageous model to study the basic and clinical biology of this unique epithelium.

High resolution and image processing of otoconia matrix

This study was designed to investigate patterns of fibrils organization in histochemically stained otoconia. Transmission electron microscope and video imaging were used. These data indicate that otoconia of the chick (Gallus domesticus) inner ear may have central cores in vivo. The data also show that the ultrastructural organization of fibrils fixed with aldehydes and histochemical stains follows trajectories that conform to the hexagonal shape of otoconia. These changes in direction may contribute to the formation of a central core. The existence of central cores is important for the in vivo buoyancy of otoconia. Packing of fibrils is tighter after phosphotungstic acid (PTA) stained otoconia than with other histochemical stains, which usually produce looser packing of fibrils and seemingly larger central core. TEM of tilted and untilted material showed that turning of fibrils occurs at the points where the face angles of otoconia form and where central cores exist. Video image processing of the images allowed reconstructing a template which, if assumed to repeat and change trajectories, would fit the pattern of fibrils seen in fixed otoconia. Since it is highly unlikely that aldehyde primary fixation or PTA stain caused such drastic change in the direction of fibrils, the template derived from these results may closely approximate patterns of otoconia fibrils packing in vivo. However, if the above is correct, the perfect crystallographic diffraction pattern of unfixed otoconia do not correspond to patterns of fixed fibrils.

Ultracytochemical localization of basal lamina anionic sites in the rat epithelial attachment apparatus

The basal lamina anionic sites of the epithelial attachment apparatus (EAA) were investigated at the electron microscopic level in adult rat periodontium. After 1M NaCl junctional epithelium detachment, an irregular and fluffy basal lamina-like structure appeared to cover the cementum surface. This structure reacted positively with polyethyleneimine (PEI), a strongly cationized ultrastructural tracer, appearing to be composed of highly electron-dense microaggregates. Depending on section plane, double-tracked structures of undefined length were found within PEI precipitates and closely related to cementum collagen fibrils. After nitrous acid de-N-sulphation, 8 nm wide sets of two parallel lines were clearly identified. "Double tracks", i.e., sets of paired lines with peripherical PEI electron-dense material, were found to self-assemble to form dimers, clusters or more complex organizational patterns. From sensitivity towards nitrous acid oxidation and positive control observations, it was concluded that basal lamina anionic sites in the EAA, represented by PEI microaggregates, contain heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Furthermore, high resolution ultrastructural images demonstrated that HSPGs adopt a morphological appearance of "double tracks" in the tissue. On the other hand, the present findings suggest that HSPGs clusters, never found in the mucosal basement membrane used as positive control, may be related to a functional specificity of the tissue at the dento-gingival junction.