Lectin binding patterns of odontogenic epithelium in the rat during various phases of molar tooth development.

Light and electron microscopic investigations of lectin binding patterns in rat tooth germs were undertaken in order to elucidate glycoconjugate localization in cells of the reduced enamel epithelia and their derivatives. It was found that Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-1), peanut agglutinin (PNA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) exhibited variable reactivity patterns with different epithelia. UEA-1 was reactive with cells of the stratum intermedium and stellate reticulum in the tooth germ but unreactive with ameloblasts, outer enamel epithelial cells, and junctional epithelium at later stages. Reaction patterns of PNA in these cells differed from those of UEA-1. Results indicated that inner and outer cells of the reduced enamel epithelium are heterogeneous with regard to lectin binding patterns.