USE OF HYALURONIC-ACID BINDING-PROTEIN FOR DETECTION OF HYALURONAN INLIGATURE-INDUCED PERIODONTITIS TISSUE

This study was designed to demonstrate, by use of biotin-labeled hyalu ronic acid binding protein (HABP) and an avidin-enzyme system, the loc alization of hyaluronan (HA) in periodontal tissue of beagle dogs duri ng experimentally induced periodontitis. Experimental periodontitis wa s induced in the dogs by ligation of the gingival sulcus. Experimental tissue was collected at 0, 3, 7 and 21 days after ligation. HA was re vealed by strong staining in the intercellular space around epithelial cells and periodontal ligament, and by light staining in the gingival connective tissue. According to the progression of periodontal tissue breakdown, HA was detected in a small number of leukocytes and monocy tes, on the surface of osteoclasts, the surface of alveolar bone, thic kened endothelium and in epithelial cells related to rete peg formatio n. Streptomyces hyaluronidase-treated specimens gave negative staining . This study suggests that HA may be associated with the inflammatory reaction in experimental periodontitis tissue.