title: The development of terminal Schwann cells associated with periodontal Ruffini endings in the rat incisor ligament.
abstract: The postnatal development of the terminal Schwann cell, an analogue of the lamellar cell in cutaneous sensory receptors, was examined by histochemistry for non-specific cholinesterase and immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein in the periodontal Ruffini endings of the rat incisor. Double immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) was also performed to examine the relationship between terminal Schwann cells and axons. Histochemistry for non-specific cholinesterase was able to demonstrate the age-related development of the terminal Schwann cells; the morphology and distribution of the developing terminal Schwann cells became almost identical to those in adults during postnatal days 15-18. Axons showing PGP 9.5-like immunoreactivity elongated and expanded after arrangement of terminal Schwann cells in the alveolus-related part. This suggests that the terminal Schwann cell is important in the development and maturation of the periodontal Ruffini endings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan. sachipro@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakakura-Ohshima
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohshima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honma
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wakisaka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maeda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000201:enzymology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D007180:Incisor; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
chemical_list: D009418:S100 Proteins; D002802:Cholinesterases; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase