Semaphorin profiling of periodontal fibroblasts and osteoblasts.
Cells of the periodontal attachment (cementoblasts, osteoblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts) are descended from a common progenitor (the cranial neural crest). During their differentiation into different cell types, these cells separate from one another to form a laminated structure. Semaphorins (and their neuropilins and plexin receptors) act as cell guidance molecules for other neural crest derivatives. It is predicted that the differential expression of these molecules will correlate with the ability of these cells to segregate. It is demonstrated that human pre-osteoblasts segregate from PDL and gingival fibroblasts in culture. In addition, these cells express different semaphorins and plexins. Semaphorins 3D and 7A were expressed preferentially in dermal fibroblasts, while semaphorin 6B was selectively expressed by pre-osteoblasts. Semaphorins 3B, 4C, 5B, and 6C and plexins B1 and C1 were expressed in reduced levels in pre-osteoblasts. Analysis of the data suggests that differential expression of semaphorins and plexins may be involved in regulating cell-sorting in the formation and regeneration of the periodontal attachment structure.


BACKGROUND
Periodontal Ligament (PDL), Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain-reaction (RT-PCR).
Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology, School of Dentistry, 1100 Florida Avenue, New Orleans 70119, USA. tlalli@lsuhsc.edu
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Lallier
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D039921:Neuropilins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D039921:Neuropilins; C492119:PLXNB1 protein, human; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C409766:SEMA3B protein, human; C118753:SEMA7A protein, human; D039961:Semaphorins; C091529:plexin