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

接合上皮（junctional epithelial， JE）位于牙骨质-牙釉质交界处，其上皮与牙龈口腔上皮连续连接，形成牙髓-上皮交界处。脑炎细胞具有很强的细胞粘附、细胞迁移和细胞分裂能力。为了阐明乙脑细胞，特别是牙直接附着细胞（DAT细胞）的屏障功能，本研究通过免疫荧光显微镜和电子显微镜检测了紧密连接蛋白家族，紧密连接相关蛋白的表达模式。在乙脑细胞，特别是DAT细胞胞质中，Occludin、ZO-1和Claudin-1、4、16均有强烈的阳性反应。提示乙脑可能由两部分组成，即牙龈结缔组织侧乙脑细胞和包括乙脑根尖部分的所谓DAT细胞。

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.