Biochemical analysis of extracellular matrix in bovine periodontal ligament.

The molecular relationships of extracellular matrix (ECM) from bovine periodontal ligaments to supporting mechanisms of the ligament were investigated. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen components of the ECM were compared quantitatively and qualitatively for periodontal tissue adjacent to mandibular anterior (APL) and maxillary posterior (PPL) teeth. There was no significant quantitative difference GAG between the APL and PPL. GAGs in both APL and PPL consisted primarily of dermatan sulfate (DS), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Heparan sulfate was present as a minor component. Analysis of unsaturated disaccharides obtained from the GAG revealed that delta Di-0S from CS in the PPL was significantly higher than that in the APL, and delta Di-4S from DS in the APL was significantly higher than within the PPL. Furthermore, there was significantly more collagen (as determined by Hyp content) in the APL than in the PPL although the chemical composition of collagen was the same for both. These results suggest that ECM molecules in the APL exhibit both quantitative and qualitative differences to those in the PPL, possibly owing to contrasting mechanisms of tooth support in response to different masticatory functions.