title: Three-dimensional ultrastructural analysis of cells in the periodontal ligament using focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope tomography.
abstract: The accurate comprehension of normal tissue provides essential data to analyse abnormalities such as disease and regenerative processes. In addition, understanding the proper structure of the target tissue and its microenvironment may facilitate successful novel treatment strategies. Many studies have examined the nature and structure of periodontal ligaments (PDLs); however, the three-dimensional (3D) structure of cells in normal PDLs remains poorly understood. In this study, we used focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope tomography to investigate the whole 3D ultrastructure of PDL cells along with quantitatively analysing their structural properties and ascertaining their orientation to the direction of the collagen fibre. PDL cells were shown to be in contact with each other, forming a widespread mesh-like network between the cementum and the alveolar bone. The volume of the cells in the horizontal fibre area was significantly larger than in other areas, whereas the anisotropy of these cells was lower than in other areas. Furthermore, the orientation of cells to the PDL fibres was not parallel to the PDL fibres in each area. As similar evaluations are recognized as being challenging using conventional two-dimensional methods, these novel 3D findings may contribute necessary knowledge for the comprehensive understanding and analysis of PDLs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.|Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.|Cognitive and Molecular Research Institute of Brain Diseases, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirashima
authors.affiliation: Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.|Electron Microscopic Laboratory, Central Research Unit of Kurume University, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.affiliation: Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomonoshin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.affiliation: Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okayama
authors.affiliation: Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.|Electron Microscopic Laboratory, Central Research Unit of Kurume University, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Akinobu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Togo
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Molecular Research Institute of Brain Diseases, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Naohisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uchimura
authors.affiliation: Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Jingo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kusukawa
authors.affiliation: Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Kei-Ichiro
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000378:metabolism; D055032:Electron Microscope Tomography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen