L8 Flashcards
The Dental Pulp
Soft connective tissue that supports dentin
Unique as tooth tissue
vascular
not calcified
The Dental Pulp: Embryonic origin
ectoderm- neural crest ectomesenchyme-dental papilla
The Dental Pulp: Constituents:
cells & cellular elements
blood and lymphatic vessels
extracellular matrix
Like dentin, pulp has an
extracellular matrix and contains parts of cells (nerve fibers). Unlike dentin, pulp has blood vessels & whole cells.
Functions in Development: 2. “formative” function:
DENTINOGENESIS
ODONTOBLASTS:
secrete
organic matrix of dentin
collagen is major component; provides scaffold for mineralization
Odontoblasts: participate in
mineralization
transport Ca++ ions that comprise the HAP crystal
secrete proteins important in controlling mineralization
dentin phosphoprotein (from DSPP gene)
Dentin Phosphoprotein
Relatively Specific to dentin (< amts., transient in bone, cementum, or enamel) Prominent dentinal protein (> 50% NCP’s) Binding sites for collagen Highly phosphorylated High in serine/aspartic acid Acidic/anionic
DPP: Binds to
collagen in forming dentin matrix
Attracts Ca++ ions to INITIATE MINERALIZATION
Dentinogenesis (crown) begins during the
“BELL STAGE”
Just prior to dentinogenesis
Tissue layers of dental organ present
Crown outline present
No odontoblasts or ameloblasts
Late Bell Stage
Inner enamel epithelial cells… Ameloblasts
Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (dental papilla)… Odontoblasts
Dentin secreted
Enamel secreted
Dentinogenesis:
cusp tips to cervix
Dentinogenesis:
periphery to pulp center
Odontoblast differentiation begins when cells in the
outer layer of the papilla stop dividing. Following the last mitosis, cells closest to the future DEJ proceed through dramatic changes that modify their shape and transform their function. First, the undifferentiated papilla cells began to elongate into a columnar shape & nuclei migrate to basal part of the cell. They subsequently grow processes that extend toward the future DEJ and begin to secrete dentin. The organic matrix of dentin is secreted 1st & subsequently the matrix is mineralized. When dentin secretion begins, the cells are considered ODBs and the dental papilla becomes the dental pulp. Dentin is laid down over a period of time. During this time, ODBs migrate toward the pulp center and one major ODB process becomes dominant and elongates.
WHAT KICKS OFF (INDUCES) odontoblast differentiation?
Inductive signal for odontoblast differentiation: secreted molecules from enamel organ- most likely the enamel knot (epithelial-mesenchymal interaction)
multiple molecules:
several families of signaling/growth factors implicated
2 prominent & best documented:
BMP’s (bone morphogenetic protein)
Wnt’s *(pronounced “went”)
Evidence for a role of Wnt10a in odontoblast differentiation
Technique:
At multiple time points:
Stained for Wnt10a using “in situ hybridization” (detects mRNA for Wnt10a)
Stained for dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP, a sign of odontoblast differentiation)
Wnt10a
1st expressed in enamel knot(s)
Then pre-odontoblasts at the cusp tip
Then successively more cervical parts of teeth
In other words, Wnt10a expression immediately precedes the “wave” of odontoblast differentiation
Wnt Signaling is Also Important in the Adult Pulp
In adult, Wnt is released by pulp cells after injury
Modifying the Wnt receptor complex to amplify effects of Wnt binding increases production of reparative dentin & dentin proteins in animal models
Pulp in the crown is the
“pulp chamber” or “coronal pulp”. Coronal pulp includes extensions into each cusp called ‘pulp horns’. Pulp in the roots constitutes the “root canal”/“radicular pulp”. The root canal is continuous with periodontium at the apical foramen, a very small opening (.3-.4mm) normally at the base of the tooth.
Pulp is not “normally” calcified, but ectopic* calcifications are common… 2 types:
Pulp stones
Diffuse calcifications
The cause of pulp stones and diffuse calcifications is
unknown and the degree to which they indicate pathology is not clear. However, they can be found in teeth which appear perfectly healthy. A relationship with age is often claimed, but the empirical evidence is variable. It has been difficult to assess whether these ectopic calcifications harm pulp. However, they can complicate endodontic therapy.
Pulp core=
is located central to the odontogenic zone & contains fibroblasts & trunks of larger branches of both nerves & blood vessels.
Odontoblasts –
bodies in pulp, process in dentin.
Fibroblasts –
pulp only, secrete ECM for pulp only.
Dendritic cells usually in
periphery in cell – usually around cell free/cell rich area.
Odontoblasts
Fibroblasts
confined to pulp
secrete ECM
Resident immune cells
macrophage
lymphocytes
eosinophils
dendritic cells
inflammation
plasma cells
mast cells
pmn’s
PG’s & Associates (the GAGs)
smaller: decorin, byglycan (most prevalent)
larger: versican, syndecan
GAGs: dermatan, chondroitin, heparin sulfate
Functions:
matrix for diffusion
collagen fibrillogenesis
water retention ( pressurizes pulp resist compressive forces)
Glycoproteins
e.g., fibronectin
Function: role in cell adhesion to ECM
Collagen (I & III)
both fibrillar collagens
Function: tensile strength