Syndecan-1 expression during the formation of junctional epithelium.
BACKGROUND
Syndecans are cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (PG) which can bind to and modulate the action of growth factors and extracellular matrix components (ECM). Syndecan- 1 has been shown to play important roles during early tooth development and wound healing and repair. Among diverse cells and tissues that comprise the periodontium, the junctional epithelium (JE) constitutes a region of significant anatomic and clinical importance, but the nature of inductive signals and molecules involved in its formation is still unclear. Therefore, this work examines if syndecan-1 is associated with formation of JE, and the distribution of other syndecan family members in the epithelium.


METHODS
In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques were performed using oral tissues from 4-day-old to 10-week-old mice to investigate the expression of syndecan- 1, -2, -3 and -4 mRNAs and their corresponding proteins.


RESULTS
Based on in situ hybridization experiments, all syndecan mRNAs were detected in sulcular epithelium (SE), gingival epithelium (GE), and JE with varying intensity and distribution. Syndecan-1 immunostaining was localized on the cell surface while that of syndecan-2 did not show clear membrane localization. Our experiments in the developing tooth demonstrated that syndecan-1 protein followed characteristic patterns of expression during JE formation and that immunoreactivity for syndecan-1 protein decreased with age when JE cells underwent terminal differentiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of syndecan-1 mRNA and protein expression patterns suggested that this proteoglycan might be an important molecule during the formation of JE.
Dias
Rubia A
RA
Periodontology, Department of Hard Tissue Engineering, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Tokyo, Japan.
Shibata
Shunichi
S
Hashimoto-Uoshima
Mariko
M
Podyma-Inoue
Katarzyna A
KA
Ishikawa
Isao
I
Yanagishita
Masaki
M
D000565:Ameloblasts; D000818:Animals; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron / Q000379:methods; D008963:Molar; D009805:Odontogenesis; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; D014078:Tooth Eruption
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C508242:Sdc1 protein, mouse; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans