Expression and distribution of cell-surface proteoglycans in the normal Lewis rat molar periodontium

Cell-surface proteoglycans participate in several biological functions such as cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, cell adhesion, the binding to v arious growth factors as co-receptors and repair. To understand better the expression and distribution of cell-surface proteoglycans in the periodonta l tissues, an immunohistochemical evaluation of the normal Lewis rat molar periodontium using panels of antibodies for syndecan-1, -2, -4, glypican an d betaglycan was carried out. Our results demonstrated the expression and d istribution of all proteoglycans in the suprabasal gingival epithelium, sof t and hard connective tissues. Both cellular and matrix localization was ev ident within the various periodontal compartments. The presence of these ce ll-surface proteoglycans indicates the potential for roles in the process o f tissue homeostasis, repair or regeneration in periodontium of which each function requires further study.