Abstract
Immunohistochemical studies were carried out to investigate the distribution of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) -proteoglycans (PG) on t ooth germs in the rat. The upper molar tooth germs were dissected 0, 7, 14, and 21 days after birth. The specimens were embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned. The combination of monoclonal antibodies 2-B-6 and 3-B-3, with specific enzymes, chondroitinase AC II, B, ABC, made it possible to detect chondroitin 4 sulfate (C 4 S) -PG, dermatan sulfate (DS) -PG, and chondroitin 6 sulfate (C 6 5) -PG, respec -tively. In addition, monoclonal antibodies, HepSS -1 and 12/21/1-C-6, were used to detect heparan sulfate (HS) -PG and hyaluronic acid (HA) -PG. Immunoreactivity of 2-B-6 after treatment with Chondroitinase AC II or B was found in connective tissue, dental papille, predentin, mesenchymal cells in the ameloblast layer and in the odontoblast layer. The 3-B-3 epitope was located in dental papilla specifically. The HepSS-1 epitope was found to be widespread in connective tissue and dental germ, except for the oral epithelium. The 12/21/1-c-6 epitope was found in gingival connective tissue, the periodontal ligament and dental papillae. The sites of GAG-PGs immunoreactivity varied depending on the stage of tissue development. This suggests that GAG-PGs may be involved in the development of periodontal tissue and odontogenesis.
