DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-BETA(1)-BINDING PROTEINS AND LOW-AFFINITY RECEPTORS DURING ODONTOBLAST DIFFERENTIATION IN THE MOUSE

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta B1) was immunolocalized w ithin differentiated odontoblasts and ameloblasts while LAP-beta(1) wa s detected at the apicol pole of odonotoblasts and ameloblasts and in predentine. Anti-LAP-beta(1) antibodies also stained the epithelial-me senchymal junction (EMJ). Decorin was immunolocalized in young functio nal odonotoblasts and in both predentine and dentine. Biglycan was sim ilarly distributed but absent from dentine. Immunostaining with anti-l atent TGF-beta(1) binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) showed fibrillar structur es located at the EMJ and between predontoblasts and odontoblasts; at older states staining was restricted to the dental papilla and sec. Th us differentiated odonotoblasts express TGF-beta(1) and in a more rest ricted manner decorin, biglycan and LAP-beta(1); it can be assumed tha t TGF-beta(1) is able to interact with the three molecules present in predentine. Earlier, LTBP-1 and LAP-beta(1), both present at the EMJ, may contribute to odontoblast differentiation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd.