Departmental Papers (Dental)

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of this Version

6-2013

Publication Source

Journal of Dental Research

Volume

92

Issue

6

Start Page

518

Last Page

523

DOI

10.1177/0022034513486807

Abstract

The gingival epithelium plays a key role in protecting the supporting structures of the teeth from bacteria and their products. In ex vivo experiments, we recently showed that the cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) from the periodontal pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans causes extensive damage to gingival tissue. Morphological changes included detachment of the keratinized outer layer, distention of spinous and basal cells in the oral epithelium, disruption of rete pegs, and apparent dissolution of cell junctions. Adherens junctions (zonula adherens) are essential for maintaining barrier function and integrity of gingival epithelium. Therefore, immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analyses of human gingival explants (HGX) and human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) were utilized for a closer examination of the effects of the Cdt on E-cadherin, the key membrane component of adherens junctions. Although there was some variability among tissue donors, exposure of gingival tissue or isolated epithelial cells to the toxin generally resulted in a pronounced increase in the expression and cytosolic distribution of E-cadherin, accompanied by an increase in levels of the intracellular scaffolding proteins β-catenin and β-actin. These results indicate that the Cdt induced substantial remodeling of adherens junctions, with a potential impact on the barrier function of gingival epithelium.

Abbreviations: cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt), 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC), human gingival explants (HGX), human gingival fibroblasts (HGF), transepithelial resistance (TER).

Copyright/Permission Statement

Damek-Poprawa, M., Korostoff, J., Gill, R. and DiRienzo, J.M. (2013). Cell Junction Remodeling in Gingival Tissue Exposed to a Microbial Toxin. Journal of Dental Research; 92(6): 518–523. doi: 10.1177/0022034513486807 Copyright © [2013] (Sage Publications). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.

Keywords

adherens junctions, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, cytolethal distending toxin, E-cadherin, gingival epithelial cells, gingival explants

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Date Posted: 01 March 2022

This document has been peer reviewed.