Distribution of matrix proteins in perichondrium and periosteum during the incorporation of Meckel's cartilage into ossifying mandible in midterm human fetuses: an immunohistochemical study.
Immunohistochemical localization of versican and tenascin-C were performed; the periosteum of ossifying mandible and the perichondrium of Meckel's cartilage, of vertebral cartilage, and of mandibular condylar cartilage were examined in midterm human fetuses. Versican immunoreactivity was restricted and evident only in perichondrium of Meckel's cartilage and vertebral cartilage; conversely, tenascin-C immunoreactivity was only evident in periosteum. Therefore, versican and tenascin-C can be used as molecular markers for human fetal perichondrium and fetal periosteum, respectively. Meckel's cartilage underwent endochondral ossification when it was incorporated into the ossifying mandible at the deciduous lateral incisor region. Versican immunoreactivity in the perichondrium gradually became weak toward the anterior primary bone marrow. Tenascin-C immunoreactivity in the primary bone marrow was also weak, but tenascin-C positive areas did not overlap with versican-positive areas; therefore, degradation of the perichondrium probably progressed slowly. Meanwhile, versican-positive perichondrium and tenascin-C-positive periosteum around the bone collar in vertebral cartilage were clearly discriminated. Therefore, the degradation of Meckel's cartilage perichondrium during endochondral ossification occurred at a different rate than did degradation of vertebral cartilage perichondrium. Additionally, the perichondrium of mandibular condylar cartilage showed tenascin-C immunoreactivity, but not versican immunoreactivity. That perichondrium of mandibular condylar cartilage has immunoreactivity characteristic of other periosteum tissues may indicate that this cartilage is actually distinct from primary cartilage and representative of secondary cartilage.
Maxillofacial Anatomy, Department of Maxillofacial Biology, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Shunichi
S
Shibata
Yujiro
Y
Sakamoto
Tamaki
T
Yokohama-Tamaki
Gen
G
Murakami
Baik Hwan
BH
Cho
D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000196:embryology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis; D010521:Periosteum / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Meckel's cartilage; condylar cartilage; human fetus; perichondrium; periosteum