Localization and function of tight junction protein in gingival junctional epithelium.

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The junctional epithelium (JE) is located between the cemento-enamel junction and the epithelium of which connects consecutively to the gingival oral epithelium, forming the dento-epithelial junction. JE cells have highly potential of cell adhesion, cell migration and cell division. In this study, to clarify the barrier function of the JE cell, especially the cells directly attached to the tooth (DAT cells), we examined the expression patterns of tight junction protein family, tight junction associate protein, by immuno-fluorescence microscopically and electron microscopically. In the JE cells, especially cytoplasm of the DAT cells, strongly positive reaction of Occludin, ZO-1 and Claudin-1, 4, 16 were observed. It is suggested that, JE may be comprised of two part, such as gingival connective tissue side JE cells, and so called DAT cells including apical portion of JE.