Dendritic cells: a novel cellular component of the rat incisor enamel organ appearing in the late stages of enamel maturation.

Immunocompetent cells in the enamel organ of rat incisors were examined immunohistochemically using OX6, ED1, and ED2 monoclonal antibodies known to recognize the Class II MHC molecules, a monocyte-macrophage lineage, and residential macrophages, respectively. The OX6 immunopositive cells (MHC cells) were located exclusively in the enamel maturation zone. MHC cells increased in number in the incisal direction and occasionally extended cytoplasmic processes deep into the ameloblast layer. Migration of MHC cells in the ameloblast layer were also encountered. MHC cells lacked phagolysosomes and could be distinguished from typical macrophages. ED2 immunopositive cells were not seen in the enamel organ. ED1 positive cells displayed identical localization to MHC cells except that some appeared in the transitional zone. MHC cells could not be seen in the enamel organ of rat molar tooth germs. Our data confirmed the presence of a large population of "dendritic" immunocompetent cells in the enamel organ of rat incisors and characterized the ultrastructural features of these cells. Biological significance of the immunocompetent cells in the enamel organ during amelogenesis needs to be clarified.