title: Immunohistochemical localization of matrixmetalloproteinase-2 in human coronal dentin.
abstract: While it is known that matrixmetalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is present in dentin, its distribution and role in human dentin formation and pathology are not well understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the distribution of MMP-2 in human coronal dentin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the distribution of MMP-2 in coronal dentin. Freshly extracted human premolars and third molars (age range 12-30) were fixed with formaldehyde, demineralized with 10% EDTA (pH 7.4) and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections were made and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using a specific monoclonal anti-MMP-2 antibody. Immunoreactivity was visualized with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine substrate and observed under light microscopy. ImageJ software was used to calculate the relative amount/distribution of MMP-2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis revealed immunoreactivity for MMP-2 throughout human coronal dentin. However, intense immunoreactivities were identified in a 90-200 microm zone adjacent to the pre-dentin as well as a 9-10 microm wide zone adjacent to the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-2 has a specific distribution in human coronal dentin indicating it's involvement in extracellular matrix organization in predentin and the establishment of the DEJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, UNC School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. boushell@dentistry.unc.edu
authors.forename: Lee W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Boushell
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaku
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mochida
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bagnell
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001641:Bicuspid; D002648:Child; D003804:Dentin / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008964:Molar, Third; D051381:Rats; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2