1998 Volume 40 Issue 6 Pages 594-610
The present study was designed to examine the structural characteristics of periodontal epithelial cells and cementoblasts forming acellular cementum using maxillary first molars of male Wistar rats aged 2-10 weeks. The periodontal epithelial cells, stained with antibodies against cytokeratin, laminin and type IV collagen, changed the pattern of their distribution from mesh to islands with an increase in animal age and often showed a disrupted basement membrane. The epithelial cells were numerous at the concave area of the root trunk and the inner area of the root branch, but scarce at the convex area of the root trunk and the outer area of the root branch. The cementoblasts adjacent to the acellular cementum were positive with an anti-osteocalcin antibody and alkaline phosphatase. The distribution and localization of the cementoblasts was almost the same as that of the periodontal epithelial cells. The undecalcified ground sections labelled with calcein and alizarin red S vitally displayed two labeling lines in cementum at the concave area of the root trunk and the inner area of the root branch but only one line at the convex area of the root trunk and of the outer area of the root branch. The present results suggest that the periodontal epithelium might have an important role in the differentiation of cementoblasts and acellular cementum formation.
