Ultrastructural and morphometric analyses of human cementoblasts and periodontal fibroblasts

The structure of bovine periodontal ligament with special reference to the epithelial cell rests

The aim of this study was to determine the structure of the bovine periodontal ligament, with special reference to epithelial cell rests (ECR) and their cytokeratin content. Periodontal ligament was obtained from bovine molar teeth and studied at both the light microscopic and electron microscopic levels. Cytokeratin content was determined using immunohistochemistry against a number of cytokeratin antibodies and specificity tested against bovine and human oral mucosa. Collagen fibril diameters and the area of a fiber bundle occupied by collagen were determined using a digital planimeter with a digitizing tablet. The majority of periodontal fibroblasts possessed considerable quantities of roughened endoplasmic reticulum, indicating rapid synthesis and secretion of collagen, but no intracellular collagen profiles were present. Endothelial cells showed Weibel-Palade bodies. Collagen fibril diameters showed a unimodal distribution with a mean collagen fibril diameter of 55.3 nm. The mean percentage area of the extracellular matrix occupied by collagen was 42%. Structurally, ECR were unusual in exhibiting large numbers of microvilli and conspicuous amounts of cytokeratin filaments. Bovine ECR showed a positive reaction to the pancytokeratin MNF116 (which reacts with the cytokeratins 5, 6, 8, 17, and probably 19), to PCK-26 (which reacts with the type II cytokeratins 1, 5, 6, and 8) and to cytokeratin 13. There was no reaction for cytokeratins 1, 4, 10, 11 and 18. Structurally, bovine periodontal ligament showed features common to other species. However, ECR in terms of both structure and cytokeratin content showed features indicative of important species differences which may have relevance when considering the etiology of radicular cysts.

Cementogenesis reviewed: a comparison between human premolars and rodent molars

BACKGROUND

Cementum continues to be the least-known mineralized tissue. Although recent advances in the field of molecular biology have contributed to an understanding of the involvement of molecular factors in cementum formation during development and regeneration, cementogenesis on a cell biological basis is still poorly understood. Virtually nothing is known about cementoblast origin, differentiation, and the cell dynamics during normal development, repair, and regeneration. This review describes the recent findings of cementogenesis on roots of human premolars and opposes them to those of teeth from other mammals, particularly the rodent molar.

METHODS

Using light and electron microscopy, light microscopic radioautography, and various measurements, a comprehensive insight into the development and repair of cementum during and after root formation and tooth eruption has been achieved for human premolars.

RESULTS

Cementum is a highly responsive mineralized tissue. This biological activity is necessary for root integrity and for bringing and maintaining the tooth in its proper position. With regard to cementum formation and periodontal fiber attachment, considerable species-particularities exist that are mainly based on differences in growth rates and tooth sizes. Since root development and initial cementogenesis last on the average 5-7 years in human premolars, cementum formation in these teeth is characterized by along-lasting phase of prefunctional development, with occurs independent of principal periodontal fiber attachment to the root and which may take 5 years or more. The first molar of the rat, however, is in functional occlusion 3 1/2 weeks after the onset of root formation. Since initial cementum formation and periodontal fiber attachment to the root occur almost at the same time in this tooth, the distinction between cells associated with one or the other process is very difficult to achieve, and cementogenesis cannot be described independent of periodontal fiber attachment to the root. Therefore, the determination of cementoblast origin in the rodent molar may be intricate.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking into account these species differences, the current description on the origin and differentiation of cementoblasts is inconsistent and the description of cementogenesis is still incomplete. This review calls into question the currently held concept of cementogenesis and offers a possible alternative.

Differential effect of TGF-beta 1 and PDGF on proliferation of periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts

Regeneration of periodontal tissues requires orchestration of several cell types. Two cell types, gingival fibroblastic cells (gingival fibroblasts) and cells from the periodontal ligament (PDL cells), were studied to compare the effects of supplemental addition of TGF-beta 1 and PDGF on proliferation. Cells obtained from healthy donors were cultured in 10% FBS supplemented with either 10 ng/ml TGF-beta 1, 20 ng/ml PDGF, or both. Thymidine incorporation was measured after 24, 48, or 72 hours. Data from PDL (analyzed by ANOVA) showed the following relations: at 24 hours TGF beta 1/PDGF = PDGF > TGF-beta 1 = control; at 48 hours TGF beta 1/PDGF > TGF-beta 1 > PDGF > control; at 72 hours TGF beta 1/PDGF > TGF-beta 1 > PDGF = control. Gingival fibroblast cultures showed the following relations: at 24 and 48 hours TGF beta 1/PDGF = PDGF > TGF-beta 1 = control; at 72 hours, TGF beta 1/PDGF = PDGF > control with TGF beta 1 not different from control or factor combinations. Both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1/PDGF showed a significantly greater increase in proliferation of PDL cells than in gingival fibroblasts at 48 and 72 hours (Student t test P < 0.05). In contrast, PDGF stimulated proliferation of gingival fibroblasts was significantly greater than PDL cells at 72 hours (P < 0.05). Thus, supplementation of complete cultures (containing 10% FBS) with TGF-beta 1 alone or combined with PDGF stimulates proliferation of PDL cells to a significantly greater extent than proliferation of gingival fibroblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructure of cementogenesis as affected by growth hormone in the molar periodontium of the hypophysectomized rat

To document the effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone replacement on the ultrastructure of cementogenesis in the developing rat third molar, 12 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to normal control, hypophysectomized or hypophysectomized plus human growth hormone (for 10 days) treatment groups. The results of this study by electron and light microscopy and morphometry have shown that qualitative and quantitative changes occur in the organelles of cementoblasts forming cellular cementum as a result of hypophysectomy and growth hormone replacement. After hypophysectomy, the changes of less prominent nucleoli and nuclear pores, less prominent Golgi apparatuses and decreased endoplasmic reticulum can be interpreted as diminished cementum matrix biosynthesis--an interpretation that can be confirmed morphometrically by less cellular cementum formation. Growth hormone replacement for 10 days reactivates protein synthesis and cementogenesis as evidenced by ultrastructural changes in cementoblasts and a greater production of cementum.

Bundle formation of principal fibers in rat molars

The bundling of principal fibers was investigated in tangential sections through the tooth-related portion in developing rat molars by light and electron microscopy. When root dentin calcification began, cross sections of principal fibers emerged as fibril aggregates in the narrow intercellular spaces in a densely packed population of periodontal ligament cells. Subsequently, these cells changed shape and location to widen the intercellular spaces. The fibril aggregates became thicker in these spaces. With root development, the collagen fibrils formed loosely aggregated bundles and the periodontal ligament cells extended cell processes between the bundles. The cell processes usually contained microfilaments suggestive of actin filaments, and as the cell processes extended and came in close apposition, they formed delimited compartments. These compartments appeared to be a sheath-like structure, and the loose fibril bundles developed into tight fibril bundles in the compartments. Finally the principal fibers consisted of many tight fibril bundles, which were partially or entirely surrounded by cell processes and cell bodies. The findings suggest that the sheath-like, cellular compartments cause the tight bundling of the principal fibers.

The development and structure of principal fibers and cellular cementum in rat molars

The principal fibers and cellular cementum were examined in various developmental stages in rat molars by light and electron microscopy, and their development and structure were studied. The principal fibers increased in thickness with root development. At any given stage, the principal fibers consisted of small fiber bundles on the cementum surface and showed a branching structure. Sharpey's fibers also showed a similar branching structure and increased in thickness, as traced superficially in the cementum. It was suggested that the principal fibers increased in thickness by means of the aggregation of fiber bundles. The development of cellular cementum was divided into two (early and late) phases on the basis of the fiber arrangement. The early cementum was believed to contain a few Sharpey's fibers and many randomly arranged intrinsic fibers. The late cementum contained thicker Sharpey's fibers with branches and the intrinsic fibers which appeared to encircle Sharpey's fibers and/or meander among them.

Formation of acellular root cementum in relation to dental and non-dental hard tissues in the rat

After the periodontium of the rat was wounded, the formation of acellular extrinsic fiber cementum (AEFC) did not appear to be restricted to the hard dental tissues (pre-existing cementum, dentin, and enamel). Layers resembling AEFC were also deposited along the inner wall of the alveolar bone. At the time of observation (six weeks after being wounded), cells other than fibroblast-like cells could not be distinguished close to the newly formed AEFC-like layers. We suggest that the deposition of this material was related to the activity of periodontal ligament fibroblasts.