Immunohistochemical localization of transferrin receptors in junctional and sulcular epithelium of human gingiva.

ABSTRACT

Transferrin receptors were found on the apical cells of the junctional epithelium and on the basal and adjacent suprabasal cells of the sulcular epithelium, consistent with the rapidly renewing character of these tissues. High density of receptors was found in the coronal portion of the junctional epithelium and on the sulcular cells adjacent to the tooth surface. This may indicate the proliferative potential of such cells rather than their actual division. An inert substratum, stimulating the tooth surface in vitro caused positive expression of the transferrin receptor, but not so extensively as in vivo. Thus factors not present in culture may normally activate the distinct non-differentiating junctional and sulcular cells to express the receptor.