Merkel-like cells in Malassez epithelium in the periodontal ligament of cats: an immunohistochemical, confocal-laser scanning and immuno electron-microscopic investigation

• Published in: Journal of periodontal research 2002-12, Vol.37 (6), p.456-463
• Main Authors: Tadokoro, O., Maeda, T., Heyeraas, K. J., Vandevska-Radunovic, V., Kozawa, Y., Hals Kvinnsland, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies; Basement Membrane - ultrastructure; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide - analysis; Cats; cytokeratin 20; Dentistry; Ent. Stomatology; Epithelial Cells - cytology; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Gingiva - cytology; gingival epithelium; Immunohistochemistry; Intermediate Filament Proteins - analysis; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Keratin-20; Malassez epithelium; Medical sciences; Merkel Cells - cytology; Merkel-like cells; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; Nerve Fibers - ultrastructure; Nerve Tissue Proteins - analysis; neuroendocrine cells; Neuropeptides - analysis; Neurosecretory Systems - cytology; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Periodontal Ligament - cytology; PGP 9.5; Substance P - analysis; Thiolester Hydrolases - analysis; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide - analysis
• ISSN: 0022-3484; 1600-0765
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0765.2002.01374.x

The cellular heterogeneity of Malassez epithelium (ME) residing in the periodontal ligament has recently been reported, and the presence and coexistence of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in single cells in ME has been shown (1). However, the identity of these neuroendocrine cells has so far not been verified. This study was undertaken in order to elucidate the identity of the neuroendocrine cells in ME by means of transmission electron microscopy, confocal scanning microscopy and immunohistochemistry using antibodies to protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 and cytokeratin 20 (CK). Gingival tissue was included in the study as a positive control for identification of Merkel‐like cells in oral epithelium. CK 20 immunopositive cells were present in both Malassez epithelium and in basal cell layers of gingival epithelium showing a distribution consistent with PGP 9.5 labelled cells in both epithelia. The results from PGP 9.5 immuno electron microscopy clearly evidenced the presence of single, intensely labelled cells and some nerve fibres invested between the Malassez epithelial cells. The conformity of the immunopositive cells in Malassez and gingival epithelium verified by double immunolabelling with PGP 9.5 and CK 20, indicates that the labelled neuroendocrine cells are identical in ME and in gingival epithelium. This demonstrates that Malassez epithelium not only exhibits neuroendocrine cells, but additionally that the neuroendocrine cells represent Merkel‐like cells.