title: The distribution pattern of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 during human tooth development.
abstract: The aim was to investigate the expression pattern of the major cell-surface hyaluronan receptor CD44, as there are no existing data on its presence or absence in human dental structures at different developmental stages. Immunohistochemical localization of CD44 was studied using a monoclonal antibody, H3, that specifically recognizes an epitope in the common backbone of all CD44 isoforms. The dental lamina displayed a strong CD44 signal; the external enamel epithelium was negative. In the coronal region of the tooth germ the presecretory ameloblasts showed an intense reaction whereas the less differentiated inner enamel epithelial cells showed no signal at the cervical loop where they meet the external enamel epithelium. In the stellate reticulum a moderate reaction was detected. The secretory ameloblasts and the stratum intermedium showed a strong cell-surface CD44 signal. A strong signal was also observed on the odontoblasts and their processes. In the pulp, close to the odontoblastic layer, weak labelling was seen in the walls of capillary vessels. The distribution of CD44 in the human tooth germ corresponds to that of hyaluronan in most locations, suggesting that during tooth development this transmembrane protein plays an important part in hyaluronan-mediated events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, H-4012 Debrecen, Hungary. szabi@chondron.anat.dote.hu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Felszeghy
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Módis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tammi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tammi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors