title: Nerve terminals in human periodontal ligament as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for neurofilament protein (NFP) and S-100 protein.
abstract: Nerve terminals in the human periodontal ligament were investigated by immunohistochemistry for neurofilament protein (NFP) and glia-specific S-100 protein. The human periodontal ligament was found to be innervated by NFP-immunoreactive nerve fibers, and contained free and specialized nerve endings; essentially all these nerve fibers were associated with S-100 protein-immunoreactive elements. Free nerve endings showing tree-like ramifications were frequently observed along the whole length of the tooth. The specialized nerve endings consisting of thick nervous elements were classified into four types as follows: Ruffini-like endings which were composed of expanded nerve terminals arranged in a dendritic fashion were found mainly around the root apex; coiled nerve endings were located in the mid-region of the periodontal ligament; spindle-shaped types, and expanded nerve endings, both rarely found near the root apex. Immunostaining for S-100 protein showed that no lamellated nerve terminals were found in the human periodontal ligament. The region-specific distribution of various nerve terminals demonstrated in this study seems to be suited to effectively receive mechanical stimuli to the teeth from various directions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Anatomy, Niigata University School of Dentistry, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kannari
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwanaga
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000032:analysis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000294:innervation*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins