The junctional epithelium originates from the odontogenic epithelium of an erupted tooth.
The junctional epithelium (JE) is an epithelial component that is directly attached to the tooth surface and has a protective function against periodontal diseases. In this study, we determined the origin of the JE using a bioengineered tooth technique. We transplanted the bioengineered tooth germ into the alveolar bone with an epithelial component that expressed green fluorescence protein. The reduced enamel epithelium from the bioengineered tooth fused with the oral epithelium, and the JE was apparently formed around the bioengineered tooth 50 days after transplantation. Importantly, the JE exhibited green fluorescence for at least 140 days after transplantation, suggesting that the JE was not replaced by oral epithelium. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the origin of the JE was the odontogenic epithelium, and odontogenic epithelium-derived JE was maintained for a relatively long period.
Department of Periodontology, Showa University School of Dentistry, 2-1-1 Kitasenzoku, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan.
Sara
S
Yajima-Himuro
Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
Masamitsu
M
Oshima
Division of Pathology Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Showa University School of Dentistry, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
Gou
G
Yamamoto
Organ Technologies Inc., Tokyo 101-0048, Japan.
Miho
M
Ogawa
Department of Periodontology, Showa University School of Dentistry, 2-1-1 Kitasenzoku, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan.
Madoka
M
Furuya
Division of Pathology Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Showa University School of Dentistry, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
Junichi
J
Tanaka
Department of Periodontology, Showa University School of Dentistry, 2-1-1 Kitasenzoku, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan.
Kousuke
K
Nishii
Division of Pathology Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Showa University School of Dentistry, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
Kenji
K
Mishima
Division of Pathology Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Showa University School of Dentistry, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
Tetsuhiko
T
Tachikawa
1] Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba 278-8510, Japan [2] Organ Technologies Inc., Tokyo 101-0048, Japan.
Takashi
T
Tsuji
Department of Periodontology, Showa University School of Dentistry, 2-1-1 Kitasenzoku, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 145-8515, Japan.
Matsuo
M
Yamamoto
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000378:metabolism; D039663:Integrin beta4 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009805:Odontogenesis; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014070:Tooth / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology*; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000254:growth & development; D000097794:Kalinin
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D039663:Integrin beta4; D000097794:Kalinin