Immunohistochemical study of the CD44 distribution in surgically removed specimens of the human temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Abstract

CD44 is an important adhesion molecule that serves as a cell surface receptor for hyaluronic acid and as a homing receptor for lymphocytes.
In this study, we immunohistochemically investigated the expression of CD44 in 12 human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs.
Four types of CD44 expression were found:(1) around round cells at the surface of the synovial membrane;(2) around round cells in the connective tissue, apparently indicating homing receptors for lymphocyte;(3) at the stroma of the synovial membrane; and (4) beneath vascular epithelial cells, apparently indicating cell surface receptors for hyaluronic acid.
No appreciable expression of CD44 was observed in specimens taken from a patient with an immobile disc because of contralateral TMJ ankylosis.