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Localization of Perlecan and Heparanase in Hertwig's Epithelial Root Sheath During Root Formation in Mouse Molars

Azumi Hirata and Hiroaki Nakamura

Department of Oral Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan (AH), and Department of Oral Histology, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri, Japan (HN)

Correspondence to: Azumi Hirata, Department of Oral Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-1 Shikata-cho, 2-chome, Okayama 700-8525, Japan. E-mail: yamagata{at}md.okayama-u.ac.jp

During cementogenesis, dental follicular cells penetrate the ruptured Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) and differentiate into cementoblasts. Mechanisms involved in basement membrane degradation during this process have not been clarified. Perlecan, a heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan, is a component of all basement membranes. Degradation of HS of perlecan by heparanase cleavage affects a variety of biological processes. We elucidated immunolocalization of perlecan and heparanase in developing murine molars to clarify their roles in cementoblast differentiation. At the initial stage of root formation, perlecan immunoreactivity was detected on the basement membrane of HERS. Weak heparanase immunoreactivity was detected in HERS cells. HERS showed intense staining for heparanase as root formation progressed. In contrast, labeling for perlecan disappeared from the basement membrane facing the dental follicle, and weak immunoreactivity for perlecan was detected on the inner side of the basement membrane of HERS. These findings suggest that perlecan removal is an important step for root and periodontal tissue formation. Heparanase secreted by the cells of HERS may contribute to root formation by degrading perlecan in the dental basement membrane. (J Histochem Cytochem 54:1105–1113, 2006)

Key Words: Hertwig's epithelial root sheath • basement membrane • murine model • heparanase • perlecan • root formation • cementogenesis

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