Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural localization of glycoconjugates in the healthy gingiva of the dog using the Lectin gold complex staining technique (Con-A, WGA, SBA, PNA), which specifically recognizes sugar residues, High iron diamine-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) staining technique, identified as a heparan sulfate and immunohistochemical staining technique (HepSS-1) with recognition of an epitope present in heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan (HS-GAG). WGA-gold particles, HepSS-1-gold particles and HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were distributed on cell membranes and heterocromatin was distributed in epithelial cells. In addition, Con-A, WGA, HepSS-1-gold particles and HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were detected on cell membranes in all epithelial cell layers except the keratinized layer. On the other hand, SBA and PNA-gold particles were localized inside the nuclei of basal and spinous cells. In addition, particles were detected within the apical cytoplasm, on surface membranes of the coronal portions of spinous cells. Con-A, HepSS-1-gold particles and HID-TCH-SP stain deposits were also detected in basement membranes.
The heterogenous distribution of glycoconjugates suggests that they play an important role in cytodifferentiation and the artchitectural integrity of epithelial cells.
