title: The distribution of the antimicrobial protein, calprotectin, in normal oral keratinocytes.
abstract: Calprotectin is a heterodimeric peptide isolated from neutrophil cytosol that exhibits profound antimicrobial effects. Using monoclonal antibody MAC 387, calprotectin was found to be expressed in oral keratinocytes from normal, non-inflamed oral mucosa. Orthokeratinized sites including the attached gingiva and hard palate expressed low levels of calprotectin with a restricted pattern; immunoreactants were identified only within subcorneal keratinocytes. Parakeratinized mucosa from the lips, soft palate, tongue and buccal mucosa expressed calprotectin in a more widespread, yet variable pattern, immunoreactants being detectable in only a portion of the spinous layer in some cases whereas in others the pattern of expression was more topographically diffuse. Antigen was not detected in basilar and lower strata cells. Both cytoplasmic and nuclear decoration could be identified. The results indicate that oral mucosa harbours an antimicrobial deterrent to micro-organisms that may enhance the physical epithelial barrier of host defence.
authors: Section of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences 90024.
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Eversole
authors: K T
authors: KT
authors: Miyasaki
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000032:analysis*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008046:Lip / Q000166:cytology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D010159:Palate / Q000166:cytology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000166:cytology; D014059:Tongue / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex