title: Histochemical localization of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in developing rat molars using antibodies to different epitopes.
abstract: In this study transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been immunolocalized in developing rat molars using two well characterized polyclonal antibodies, Anti-CC and Anti-LC, that recognize extracellular and intracellular TGF-beta 1, respectively. With immunohistochemical methods and the ABC-peroxidase system of detection, the growth factor was immunolocalized within the ectodermally derived enamel organ and the neural crest-derived dental papilla at the early and advanced bell stages of development. With Anti-CC, widespread and abundant extracellular TGF-beta 1 was found associated with the stellate reticulum and within central and apical regions of dental papilla mesenchyme. In contrast, Anti-LC localized TGF-beta 1 intensely within the cells of the outer dental epithelium. Moderate immunostaining for TGF-beta 1 with Anti-LC was also evident within the apical cytoplasm of inner dental epithelial cells and odontoblasts. These findings support the hypothesis that TGF-beta 1 may play a paracrine role in tooth development by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that influence growth and cytodifferentiation events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77225.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Happonen
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Flanders
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D003771:Dental Papilla / Q000737:chemistry; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000737:chemistry; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D000939:Epitopes; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000737:chemistry; D008963:Molar; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000737:chemistry; D009805:Odontogenesis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000737:chemistry*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000939:Epitopes; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta