Gomes Natália Amanda, Garcia Valdir Gouveia, Mulinari-Santos Gabriel, Ervolino Edilson, da Rocha Tiago Esgalha, Ganss Bernhard, Ali Aiman, Magalhães Marco, de Molon Rafael Scaf, Theodoro Letícia Helena
Department of Diagnostic and Surgery, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Department of Diagnostic and Surgery, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil; Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Teaching (ILAPEO), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Br Dent J. 2025 Jul 21. doi: 10.1038/s41415-025-8508-7.
Objective The junctional epithelium (JE) is composed of tightly interconnected layers of squamous epithelial cells that play a crucial role as a defence mechanism. Recently, several enamel-derived proteins have been shown to play a role in the adhesion of JE cells to the mineralised tooth surface. This study aims to explore the in vivo protein expression levels of amelotin (AMTN), laminin (LAM332) and the protein secreted by follicular dendritic cells (FDC-SP) within the JE, both in the presence and absence of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats.Materials and methods In total, 16 rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group without EP and a group with induced periodontitis. EP was established by placing cotton ligatures around the cervical region of the lower first molars. Fifteen days after EP induction, all animals were euthanised and mandibles were harvested. Micro-computed tomography, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemistry analyses were employed to assess volumetric bone alterations, architectural bone parameters and number of osteoclasts. The presence of inflammatory cells and enamel protein expression were evaluated by immunofluorescence.Results The results demonstrated that the EP group showed a significant increase in alveolar bone loss, an elevated number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells, and enhanced inflammatory processes compared to the control group. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a significant increase in the expression of AMTN in the EP group. However, there were no significant differences between the expression of FDC-SP and LAM332. Correlation analysis of AMTN, LAM332 and FDC-SP with the intensity of inflammatory markers (CD45+, CD66b+ and CD8+, CD163+ and CD80+) showed no significant differences for the EP group.Conclusion Our data suggest that the expression of AMTN increased after inflammatory stimuli and that AMTN may be associated with the onset and progression of EP.
目的 结合上皮（JE）由紧密相连的鳞状上皮细胞层组成，作为一种防御机制发挥着关键作用。最近，几种牙釉质衍生蛋白已被证明在JE细胞与矿化牙表面的黏附中发挥作用。本研究旨在探讨在大鼠存在和不存在实验性牙周炎（EP）的情况下，JE内釉成熟蛋白（AMTN）、层粘连蛋白（LAM332）和滤泡树突状细胞分泌蛋白（FDC-SP）的体内蛋白表达水平。
材料和方法 总共16只大鼠随机分为两组：无EP的对照组和诱导性牙周炎组。通过在右下第一磨牙颈部区域放置棉结扎线建立EP。EP诱导15天后，所有动物安乐死并取下下颌骨。采用微计算机断层扫描、组织形态计量学和免疫组织化学分析来评估骨体积改变、骨结构参数和破骨细胞数量。通过免疫荧光评估炎症细胞的存在和釉质蛋白表达。
结果 结果表明，与对照组相比，EP组牙槽骨吸收显著增加，抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶阳性细胞数量增加，炎症过程增强。免疫荧光染色显示EP组AMTN表达显著增加。然而，FDC-SP和LAM332的表达之间没有显著差异。AMTN、LAM332和FDC-SP与炎症标志物（CD45+、CD66b+和CD8+、CD163+和CD80+）强度的相关性分析显示，EP组无显著差异。
结论 我们的数据表明，炎症刺激后AMTN的表达增加，并且AMTN可能与EP的发生和发展有关。
