In:
Journal of Periodontology, Wiley, Vol. 70, No. 9 ( 1999-09), p. 1039-1045
Abstract:
Background: When confluent periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex), ascorbic acid (AA), and β‐glycerophosphate (GP), they underwent sequential differentiation, demonstrating distinct morphological characteristics. At 1 week, localized cell proliferation led to the formation of multilayers of cells. As cell differentiation progressed, they formed nodules by deposition of matrix in the clusters of cells at 2 weeks, and mineralized the nodules at 3 weeks. These changes implicate extensive cell‐to‐cell interactions. Cadherins are known to play an important role in establishing cell contacts during tissue formation. Methods: To determine whether cadherins are involved in PDL cell differentiation, and the formation and mineralization of nodules by the cells in vitro, we investigated the expression of N‐cadherin using immunofluorescence labeling and Northern blot analysis. Results: Immunolabeling showed that N‐cadherin was expressed in PDL cells in the stages of nodule formation and mineralization. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a 3‐fold increase in the expression of N‐cadherin mRNA in the stages. However, neither E‐cadherin nor P‐cadherin was expressed. Conclusions: Our data suggest that N‐cadherin may play an important role in PDL cell differentiation and the formation of mineralized nodules by PDL cells. J Periodontol 1999;70:1039‐1045.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-3492
,
1943-3670
DOI:
10.1902/jop.1999.70.9.1039
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
1999
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2040047-0
