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PubMed1998

[An immunohistochemical study of the proliferating activity of ameloblastic fibroma and ameloblastic fibrosarcoma].

Six cases of ameloblastic fibroma (AF) and three cases of ameloblastic fibrosarcoma (AFS) were immunohistochemically investigated with a proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) monoclone antibody. Data on the PCNA labeling index (LI) of both epithelial and mesenchymal components were analyzed. The results showed that the PCNA LI of mesenchymal component of AFS (40.8%) was significantly higher than that of AF (3.2%) (P < 0.01) and that of the epithelial component of AFS (5.3%) was significantly lower than that of the mesenchymal one of AFS (P < 0.01). The results suggested that PCNA LI be a useful marker for the differentiation diagnosis of AF and AFS.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1991

[Mixed odontogenic tumors. Studies on the significance of correlations between ameloblastic fibroma, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma and odontoma].

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the interrelationship between the mixed odontogenic tumors. A population of 292 cases--9 cases from our own files, 283 cases taken from the literature--was considered. Data concerning age, sex distribution and site of occurrence of the different lesions were statistically analyzed. The results showed a significant prevalence of odontomas in the anterior region and a highly significant correlation for age and site distribution in relation to the various lesions. It is supposed that ameloblastic fibroma, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma and odontoma represent different maturational stages of the same lesion whose histogenesis is linked to the odontogenic process.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Immunocytochemical and radioautographic evidence for secretion and intracellular degradation of enamel proteins by ameloblasts during the maturation stage of amelogenesis in rat incisors.

In the continuously erupting rat incisor the ameloblasts progress through distinct stages associated with the secretion and maturation of enamel. We have examined the possibility that the so-called "postsecretory" ameloblasts of the maturation stage of amelogenesis remain biosynthetically active and are engaged in the synthesis, secretion, and degradation of enamel gene products. The ultrastructural distribution of antigenic sites for enamel proteins was studied within enamel organ cells during the early maturation stage of amelogenesis in rat incisors by using the protein A-gold immunocytochemical technique and rabbit polyclonal antibodies developed against mouse amelogenins. All regions of amelogenesis from late secretion through the first complete modulation from ruffle-ended to smooth-ended ameloblasts were examined. Specific immunolabelling was found within the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi saccules, secretory granules, and lysosomes of ameloblasts throughout these regions. The heaviest intracellular immunolabelling was found within secretory granules and lysosomes (multivesicular type). Quantitative analyses showed that the Golgi saccules and the multivesicular lysosomes of modulating ameloblasts were generally less immunoreactive compared to similar organelles in ameloblasts secreting the inner enamel layer. Radioautographic studies confirmed that ameloblasts of the maturation stage incorporated 3H-leucine and 3H-methionine and secreted labelled proteins into the enamel layer. Grain counts indicated that ameloblasts from the first ruffle-ended band incorporated about two-fold less 3H-methionine and secreted about tenfold less labelled proteins into the enamel compared to ameloblasts secreting the inner enamel layer. The results of this study confirm that ameloblasts do not terminate biosynthesis and secretion of enamel proteins once the final layer has been deposited on the surface of the developing enamel. They continue to form and release new proteins during the maturation stage which intermix with older proteins laid down initially during the secretory stage of amelogenesis. Secretory activity for enamel proteins has been detected in ameloblasts up to at least the second ruffle-ended phase of maturation, at which point the enamel matrix is partially soluble in EDTA.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1981

Cytochemical studies on the ferritin-containing vesicles of the rat incisor ameloblasts with special reference to the acid phosphatase activity.

Acid phosphatase was localized in rat incisor ameloblasts without prior decalcification. When beta-glycerophosphate was used as the substrate, an intense reaction was observed in the supranuclear region of the secretory ameloblasts. But the reaction was dramatically reduced at the transitional stage and was very weak in the maturation ameloblasts. When p-nitrophenylphosphate was the substrate, the reaction product was consistently seen in the Golgi cisternae and the vesicular components of the ameloblasts at all stages of enamel development. These observations suggest that there are two acid phosphatases in ameloblasts. One is in the secretory ameloblasts and the other in the transition and maturation ameloblasts. X-ray microanalyses for Fe and Pb showed that Fe and acid phosphatase were in the ferritin-containing vesicles at the later stage of enamel maturation. This evidence suggests that ferritin is digested in these vesicles for the release of the Fe pigment to the enamel. An increase in the number of intercellular bridges between ameloblasts was correlated with the dramatic decrease in height of ameloblasts at the pigment release stage. The ameloblast membranes were acid phosphatase positive at the intercellular bridges when p-nitrophenylphosphate was the substrate. This activity may be involved in the reduction in the surface area of the ameloblast membranes.

4-Nitrophenylphosphatase↗
PubMed1990

Light microscopy and morphometry of vinblastine in vivo cytotoxicity in the different developmental stages of rat incisor ameloblast epithelium.

To see whether the in vivo cytotoxicity of the antimicrotubule agent vinblastine (VB) was related to the degree of differentiation in a normal secretory cell population VB cytotoxicity in the various developmental stages of rat incisor ameloblast was studied. Normal values for cell and nucleus volumes, secretory velocity, VB dose-response curves for cell death, and proliferative and secretory activity were estimated quantitatively using simple stereological methods, 18 and 72 hours after VB administration i.v. Dose-response plots for cell death in jejunal crypt cells and the reduction of secretory activity in acinar pancreatic cells were compared with those of proliferating and secretory ameloblasts. Video light microscopy was used on 2 microns Epon sections with controlled orientation and position, permitting calculation of values on a per-cell-basis or per 10(4) microns 2 epithelial basal area. Normal cell and nuclear mean volumes (range: min.-max. value) for late-differentiating ameloblasts were 557 microns 3 (528-601) and 127 microns 3 (122-136), and for secretory ameloblasts 866 microns 3 (830-886) and 144 microns 3 (142-146). Mean volume of enamel matrix secreted per cell was around 169 microns 3 (122-202) per 24 hrs. Number of cells in the late-differentiating zone was 970(928-1003) and in the secretory zone 828 (820-835) per 10(4) microns 2 epithelial basal area. Cell death after VB in the ameloblast stem cells and pancreatic acinar cells was negligible. 72 hrs after VB, the supply of dividing cells to the proliferation zone was at lower doses increased, while at 3 mg/kg it was reduced to 72% of the normal. All proliferating cells appeared to be killed at 2 mg/kg, together with 38% of the differentiating and 34% of the secretory ameloblasts, and at 3 mg/kg, 70% and 66% respectively of the non-dividing ameloblasts were killed. The secretory output (volume of enamel matrix) of the ameloblasts exposed in the differentiating stage and now transformed into secretory cells was 72 hrs after VB 2 mg/kg reduced to 45%, while that of the mature secretory ameloblasts was reduced to 42%. After VB 3 mg/kg, the differentiated ameloblast zone retained 21% of the normal secretory output, whereas there was no output from the mature cells. Maximal accumulation of zymogen granules in pancreatic acinar cells occurred at 1 mg/kg VB. Unlike to secretory ameloblasts, the morphology of pancreatic acinar cells was normalized at 72 hrs after VB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1976

Fine structure of differentiating ameloblasts in the kitten.

The fine structure of differentiating ameloblasts was studied in the lower second molar of 1-week-old kittens after perfusion fixation with and without subsequent decalcification. The differentiation zone was divided into three phases. In Differentiation 1, ameloblasts are about 27 mum long and face an uninterrupted basal lamina. The predentin adjacent to the basal lamina contains a few collagen fibrils oriented mainly at right angles to the ameloblast surface. The specialized predentin forms a well-defined layer, up to 1.5 mum thick, referred to as the junctional layer. In Differentiation 2, ameloblast processes extend through the basal lamina and the thickness of the junctional layer. The processes consist of cytoplasmic sheets forming a honeycomb-like network. Dentin starts to calcify after process-formation is underway. Two distinct types of odontoblast processes, having different shapes and contents, come in contact with the ameloblasts and push into the ameloblastic layer. In Differentiation 3, stippled material appears in the extracellular spaces between ameloblasts. Later, stippled material-like substances appear in the predentin close to the ameloblast apex and close to odontoblast processes within the dentin. Ameloblasts now are up to 40 mum high. Enamel secretion starts in small circumscribed areas which gradually enlarge, leading to the disappearance of the ameloblast processes. These findings are compared with results obtained in other species, including man, and their possible functional significance is discussed.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1999

Ameloblastic fibroma and related lesions: current pathologic concept.

Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is a true mixed tumor, in which the epithelial and the ectomesenchymal elements are neoplastic. There are two rare variants of AF; granular cell AF and peripheral AF. Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma is a rare tumor, and is regarded as the malignant counterpart of the benign AF. Recent immunohistochemical study using MIB-1 shows labelling indices in the mesenchymal component of the recurrent AF and ameloblastic fibrosarcoma are quite high, in contrast with the conventional AF. Ameloblastic fibrodentinoma is a histologic variant of AF in which dentin or dentinoid tissue has formed, but there is no eveidence that ameloblastic fibrodentinoma exhibit a different biologic behavior than ordinary AF. Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma is a lesion similar to AF, but also showing inductive changes that lead to the formation of both dentin and enamel. Some lesions diagnosed as ameloblastic fibro-odontoma are probably developing odontoma, but the others should not be considered as hamartomatous in nature, since there are rare cases of ameloblastic fibro-odontoma showing true neoplastic behavior, and since the existence of malignant variant is evident. In revised WHO's classification of odontogenic tumors, the terms "ameloblastic fibrodentinoma" and "dentinoma" are used synonymously, however, there are histologic difference between several cases reported previously as "dentinoma" and ameloblastic fibrodentinoma.

Ameloblastoma↗
PubMed1997

Structure and function of secretory ameloblasts in enamel formation.

Secretory ameloblasts have multiple functions including the synthesis and resorption of enamel matrix proteins and calcium transport during enamel formation. We have examined these functions by means of cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Enamel proteins, amelogenins and enamelins are localized in the biosynthetic pathways of ameloblasts and in the forming enamel. Sulfated glycoconjugates are present in secretory ameloblasts. The distal junctional complex of ameloblasts may act as a permeability barrier to enamel proteins, thereby confining the secreted proteins to the growing enamel front. Secretory ameloblasts contain lysosomal enzymes in the Golgi lysosome endoplasmic reticulum system and also exhibit absorptive capacity, which might be associated with an early decrease in extracellularly degraded enamel proteins. Active calcium transport through the ameloblasts towards the growing enamel is indicated by the demonstration of Ca-ATPase activity along the plasma membranes. A calcium-dependent modulator protein, calmodulin, is localized in ameloblasts, suggesting that early enamel mineralization is dependent upon calmodulin-regulated Ca-ATPase in ameloblasts. These results suggest that the secretory ameloblast is a highly specialized multifunctional cell in the production, resorption and degradation of enamel matrix and in the active calcium transport essential for matrix mineralization during enamel formation.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1991

Fine structural changes and lysosomal phosphatase cytochemistry of ameloblasts associated with the transitional stage of enamel formation in the rat incisor.

Trimetaphosphatase (TMPase) and cytidine-5'-monophosphatase (CMPase) were used as lysosomal markers in the transitional ameloblasts (TA) to investigate the distribution of lysosomal structures and to correlate the cytochemical findings with the ultrastructural features of these cells. Of particular interest were the cytochemical and morphological changes which occur as the ameloblasts approach the maturation stage of enamel formation. The sequence of changes observed provides a basis for designation of three regions of the transitional zone (early and late TA and modulating ameloblasts). In the early TA region, the cells decreased in height and contained phagic vacuoles as well as numerous TMPase and CMPase reactive structures. Late transitional ameloblasts had invaginations at their distal ends as well as membrane-bound structures, both filled with fine granular material. Dense bodies, phagic vacuoles, and other elements of the lysosomal system were enzyme reactive. Modulating ameloblasts lacked the phagic vacuoles but exhibited large numbers of multivesicular bodies, vesicles, and secretory granules. Their distal ends were morphologically altered indicating a change towards ruffle- or smooth-ended varieties of maturation ameloblast. In the former, increased granular material was observed within cell membrane invaginations and associated membrane-bound structures. In the latter, intercellular spaces widened and were filled with granular material. The present cytochemical findings of an extensive lyosomal system in transitional ameloblasts confirm the function of those cells in reducing the secretory ameloblast population and in the selective elimination of their protein-synthesizing organelles. Furthermore, this extensive lysosmal system and the present morphological findings are consistent with a potential role for transitional ameloblasts in contributing to the marked loss of enamel protein known to occur during maturation.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localization of connexin43 in the enamel organ of the rat upper incisor during ameloblast development.

We examined the localization of connexin (Cx)43 in the enamel organ during ameloblast development. The specificity of monoclonal anti-Cx43 antibody was elucidated by immunoblot analysis and immunoelectron microscopy. Gold particles for Cx43 were detected by immunoelectron microscopy on gap junctions but not on other structures such as desmosomes. Punctate and intense immunofluorescence for Cx43 was detected in all cell types of the enamel organ. Cx43 expression in ameloblasts showed a transient decrease and then increase during ameloblast development. Double staining of Cx43 and amelogenin, one of the enamel proteins, revealed that immunofluorescence for Cx43 markedly decreased in some late presecretory ameloblasts just prior to enamel formation. Moreover, the localization of Cx43 changed during enamel formation. Cx43 was distributed randomly on the lateral plasma membranes of presecretory ameloblasts, but tended to gather on those corresponding to the supranuclear regions of secretory ameloblasts. Immunofluorescence for Cx43 in maturation ameloblasts appeared linear rather than punctate. These results suggest that Cx43 in the late presecretory ameloblasts is degraded just before enamel formation and then newly synthesized Cx43 is redistributed during the secretory stage. These changes in Cx43 expression may be related to the cellular differentiation of ameloblasts.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1999

Ameloblast apoptosis and IGF-1 receptor expression in the continuously erupting rat incisor model.

Enamel-producing cells (ameloblasts) pass through several phenotypic and functional stages during enamel formation. In the transition between secretory and maturation stages, about one quarter of the ameloblasts suddenly undergo apoptosis. We have studied this phenomenon using the continuously erupting rat incisor model. A special feature of this model is that all stages of ameloblast differentiation are presented within a single longitudinal section of the developing tooth. This permits investigation of the temporal sequence of gene and growth factor receptor expression during ameloblast differentiation and apoptosis. We describe the light and electron microscopic morphology of ameloblast apoptosis and the pattern of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression by ameloblasts in the continuously erupting rat incisor model. In the developing rat incisor, ameloblast apoptosis is associated with downregulated expression of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ameloblasts are "hard wired" for apoptosis and that insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor expression is required to block the default apoptotic pathway. Possible mechanisms of insulin-like growth factor-1 inhibition of ameloblast apoptosis are presented. The rat incisor model may be useful in studies of physiological apoptosis as it presents apoptosis in a predictable pattern in adult tissues.

Journal Article↗