Immunolocalization of bone extracellular matrix proteins (type I collagen, osteonectin and bone sialoprotein) in human dental pulp and cultured pulp cells.
OBJECTIVE
To simultaneously analyse the expression of type I collagen, osteonectin and bone sialoprotein (BSP) in human dental pulp of different ages.


METHODS
Cultured dental pulp fibroblasts (FP1 cell line), pulps from dental germs with incomplete root formation (n = 4) and pulps of erupted teeth with total root formation (n = 4) were used. Bone proteins were searched by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence using polyclonal antibodies and compared among the three groups assessed.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry detected the three proteins in dental pulp tissue, as it labelled extracellular matrix, predentine and odontoblasts. The BSP label was weaker, when compared to both type I collagen and osteonectin. The presence of type I collagen was more evident in pulps from erupted teeth, when compared to germ dental pulps. On the other hand, a strong expression of osteonectin in germ dental pulps was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Regardless of the degree of maturation, dental pulps present type I collagen, osteonectin and BSP in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and in the odontoblastic layer. Thus, the results suggest that these proteins are related to the production and mineralization of dentine.
Garcia
J M Q
JM
School of Dentistry, University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Martins
M D
MD
Jaeger
R G
RG
Marques
M M
MM
D002460:Cell Line; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000166:cytology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000032:analysis*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000166:cytology; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000473:pathology
D024042:Collagen Type I; C546871:IBSP protein, human; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D015676:Osteonectin; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins