Ciliated fibroblasts in mouse connective tissues: a comparison between methods for estimating their frequency.
The frequency of ciliated fibroblasts in skin, gingiva, molar and incisor periodontal ligaments and incisor enamel-related periodontium of the mouse was estimated by straight counting or by methods based on the probability of observing a basal body in relation to other cell structures. Transmission electron microscopy of ultra-thin sections mounted in single slot grids was used. The results obtained with these methods differed, but indicated that periodontal ligament fibroblasts from molars or incisors generally had a higher ciliation index than the fibroblasts from skin and gingiva. These differences may not be real since the detection of cilia and/or centriolar structures seems to depend very much upon the plane of sectioning relative to the long axis of the fibroblasts, a situation which favours the more regularly arranged periodontal fibroblasts. This arrangement makes the periodontal tissues, particularly those of rodent incisors, a valuable model for studying ciliation in vivo because of the prompt response to experimental manipulation.
Barbosa
S C P
SC
Department of Morphology, Faculty of Odontology of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Merzel
J
J
Novaes
P D
PD
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods*; D002502:Centrioles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002923:Cilia; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007180:Incisor / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008963:Molar / Q000166:cytology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010519:Periodontium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure