title: Immuno-localization of glucose transporter 4 in healthy human gingiva.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gingiva has been shown to be a target tissue for several hormones. Insulin induces uptake of glucose in the peripheral tissues by upregulating the Glucose transporter 4 expression. Little information is available on the expression of Glucose transporter 4 in human gingiva.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this regard, a pilot study was performed with the aim of determining the distribution pattern of Glucose transporter 4 in healthy human gingiva.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immuno-histochemistry was performed on 10 mounted sections of healthy human gingiva with the primary antibody Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT 4). Appropriate positive and negative controls were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glucose transporter 4 expression was observed in the basal and suprabasal layers of the gingival epithelium and fibroblasts of the gingival connective tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This may be the first study to demonstrate the expression of GLUT 4 in the healthy human gingiva. The results of this study raise the possibility that gingiva may serve as a target tissue for insulin action.
authors: Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India.
authors: Suresh Ranga
authors: SR
authors: Rao
authors: Sandhya
authors: S
authors: Sundaram
authors: Vamsi
authors: V
authors: Lavu
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4 / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry
chemical_list: D051275:Glucose Transporter Type 4; C495692:SLC2A4 protein, human