Immunohistochemical study of bone sialoprotein and osteopontin in healthy and diseased root surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Periodontal disease is marked by inflammation and damage to tooth-supporting tissues. In particular, damage occurs to factors present in cementum that are thought to have the ability to influence the regeneration of surrounding tissues. Bone sialoprotein and osteopontin are major non-collagenous proteins in mineralized connective tissues associated with precementoblast chemo-attraction, adhesion to the root surface, and cell differentiation. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the expression and distribution of bone sialoprotein and osteopontin on root surfaces affected by periodontitis are altered compared to healthy, non-diseased root surfaces.


METHODS
Thirty healthy and 30 periodontitis-affected teeth were collected. Following fixation and demineralization, specimens were embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and exposed to antibodies against bone sialoprotein and osteopontin. Stained sections were assessed using light microscopy.


RESULTS
Bone sialoprotein was not detected in the exposed cementum (absence of overlying periodontal ligament) of diseased teeth. In most areas where the periodontal ligament was intact, bone sialoprotein was detected for healthy and diseased teeth. For teeth reactive for bone sialoprotein, the matrix of the cementum just below the periodontal ligament was moderately stained. A similar immunoreactivity pattern for osteopontin was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of bone sialoprotein and osteopontin staining along exposed cementum surfaces may be due to structural and compositional changes in matrix components associated with periodontal disease. This may influence the ability for regeneration and new connective tissue attachment onto previously diseased root surfaces.
Lao
Martin
M
Colgate Australian Clinical Dental Research Center, Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Marino
Victor
V
Bartold
P Mark
PM
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D000906:Antibodies; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000473:pathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D006253:Haversian System / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000032:analysis*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology*
D000906:Antibodies; D004396:Coloring Agents; C546871:IBSP protein, human; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D053495:Osteopontin