Intercellular junctions in oral epithelial cells: ultrastructural and immunological aspects

Alberto Gasparoni; Christopher A Squier; Luciano Fonzi

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Intercellular junctions in oral epithelial cells: ultrastructural and immunological aspects

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Intercellular junctions in oral epithelial cells: ultrastructural and immunological aspects

Alberto Gasparoni, Christopher A Squier and Luciano Fonzi

Italian journal of anatomy and embryology, Vol.110(2), pp.83-91

04/2005

PMID: 16277158

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Abstract

The activation of the molecular cascade leading to Ca++ -induced differentiation in cultured epithelial cells might be provided by the establishment of intercellular junctions between cells. In the present paper, we tested the hypothesis that Ca++ concentration would determine morphological and biochemical changes in intercellular junctions of cultured human gingival cells. Triplicate samples of monolayer cultures of human oral gingival cells were grown with two different Ca++ concentrations (0.3 and 1.8 mM), and examined by transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy at different time periods. To determine the role of the E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex in intercellular junction formation, oral epithelial cell cultures were grown in 0.3 mM Ca++ in presence of a blocking antibody anti human E-cadherin, stained with antibodies anti human beta-catenin, and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). By TEM and SEM, cells grown at physiologic Ca++ concentrations (i.e., 1.8 mM) showed a subjective increase of the size of microvilli and of the number of intercellular junctions, which was more evident after 3 days in culture. Desmosome-like junctions were observed in cells grown in 1.8 mM Ca++, not in cells grown in 0.3 mM. By CLSM, development of intercellular adhesion was marked by membranous localization of E-cadherin and beta-catenin within the first hours in both culture types. When cell-cell adhesion was prevented, cells showed round shape and no membranous localization of beta-catenin. Restoring cell adhesion brought about polygonal cell shape and membranous localization of beta-catenin. We can conclude that increased Ca++ concentration may determine biochemical and morphological changes at membranous level in human oral epithelial cells. These changes may facilitate the development of intercellular junctions.

beta Catenin - metabolism

Cadherins - metabolism

Calcium - metabolism

Calcium - pharmacology

Calcium Signaling - drug effects

Calcium Signaling - physiology

Cell Adhesion - drug effects

Cell Adhesion - physiology

Cell Communication - drug effects

Cell Communication - physiology

Cell Differentiation - drug effects

Cell Differentiation - physiology

Cells, Cultured

Desmosomes - drug effects

Desmosomes - metabolism

Desmosomes - ultrastructure

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug

Epithelial Cells - drug effects

Epithelial Cells - metabolism

Epithelial Cells - ultrastructure

Humans

Immunohistochemistry

Intercellular Junctions - drug effects

Intercellular Junctions - metabolism

Intercellular Junctions - ultrastructure

Microscopy, Electron

Microvilli - drug effects

Microvilli - metabolism

Microvilli - ultrastructure

Mouth Mucosa - drug effects

Mouth Mucosa - metabolism

Mouth Mucosa - ultrastructure

Details

Title: Subtitle: Intercellular junctions in oral epithelial cells: ultrastructural and immunological aspects
Creators: Alberto Gasparoni - Studi
Christopher A Squier
Luciano Fonzi
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Italian journal of anatomy and embryology, Vol.110(2), pp.83-91
PMID: 16277158
ISSN: 1122-6714
Language: English
Date published: 04/2005
Academic Unit: Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine; International Programs; Dental Clinic Administration
Record Identifier: 9984367746202771

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