M. Feghaliassaly et al., CYTOKERATIN PROFILE OF THE JUNCTIONAL EPITHELIUM IN PARTIALLY ERUPTEDTEETH, Journal of Periodontal Research, 29(3), 1994, pp. 185-195
This study uses cytokeratins (CK) as markers to investigate the phenot
ype of the junctional epithelium (JE) in partially erupted human teeth
. The gingival samples, which were clinically healthy, were carefully
dissected from the teeth. Cryostat sections were cut for histological
staining, immunofluorescence microscopy and gel electrophoresis. Cytok
eratins were extracted after microdissection. The basal and suprabasal
epithelial cell markers, cytokeratins 4, 5, 13, 14 and 19 were detect
ed with specific monoclonal antibodies. They showed that the junctiona
l epithelium in erupting teeth has a complex topography. The cytokerat
in immunohistochemical profile distinguished between the primary junct
ional epithelium (CK 5, 14 and 19 in basal and suprabasal cells and CK
13 faintly stained throughout the suprabasal layers) and the adjacent
epithelium that had the same cytokeratin profile as the sulcular epit
helium (CK 5, 14 and 19 in basal cells and CK 4 and 13 intensively sta
ined in the suprabasal cells). Extraction, two-dimensional electrophor
esis and western blotting showed that this transitional JE during erup
tion also contained CK 6, 16 and perhaps CK 4. Thus, the JE in eruptin
g teeth shows patterns of CK distribution that are very similar to tha
t of developing oral epithelia.