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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1978

Fine structure of the secretory and non-secretory ameloblasts in the frog. II. Fine structure of the non-secretory ameloblast.

The non-secretory ameloblasts present at the enamel-free surfaces of maxillary teeth in the frog Rana pipiens were examined by electron microscopy at different stages of tooth development. Their main fine structural features seem to reflect a transport function. During early tooth development, the non-secretory ameloblasts adjacent to odontoblasts and predentin exhibit extensive lateral surface specializations and numerous cytoplasmic vesicles. During late tooth development, the non-secretory ameloblasts adjacent to mineralizing dentin show numerous cellular junctions, well-developed intercellular channels with numerous interdigitating processes and labyrinthine configurations at their distal surfaces. An intact basal lamina is present between the non-secretory ameloblasts and the dentin surface until the dentin becomes fully mineralized. At this stage the adjacent cells no longer exhibit surface specializations. It is suggested that the non-secretory ameloblasts may participate in the mineralization of adjacent dentin at the enamel-free surfaces. This surface dentin becomes fully mineralized at a later stage of development than the underlying dentin.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1977

Malignant transformation of ameloblastic fibro-odontoma to ameloblastic fibrosarcoma.

Two cases of malignant transformation of ameloblastic fibro-odontomas are presented, along with a review of the literature on ameloblastic fibrosarcomas. The occurrence of this malignant transformation of ameloblastic fibromas, ameloblastic odontomas, and ameloblastic fibro-odontomas appears to be more frequent than previously thought. This potential transformation alone does not justify radical treatment of all these benign lesions. If there is recurrence accompanied by a histologic pattern change toward a more unorganized fibrous stroma with displacement of the epithelial component, however, then more extensive treatment procedures appear to be indicated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Fine structure of the secretory and nonsecretory ameloblasts in the frog. I. Fine structure of the secretory ameloblasts.

Amelogenesis in the tooth germs of the frog Rana pipiens was examined by electron microscopy at different stages of tooth development. Cellular changes in secretory ameloblasts during this process showed many basic similarities to those in mammalian amelogenesis. Amelogenesis can be divided into three stages based on histological criteria such as thickness of enamel and the relative position of the tooth germ within the continuous succession of teeth. These stages are early, transitional and late. The fine structure of the enamel-secreting cells reflects the functional role of these ameloblasts as primarily secretory in the early stage, possibly transporting in the late stage and reorganizing between the two functions in the transitional stage. In early amelogenesis the cell exhibits well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, microtubules, dense granules, smooth and coated vesicles, lysosome-like bodies in supranuclear and distal portions of the cell and mitochondria initially concentrated in the basal part of the cell. Numerous autophagic vacuoles are observed concomitant with the loss of some cell organelles at the transitional stage. During late amelogenesis the ameloblasts exhibit numerous vesicles, granules, convoluted cell membranes, junctional complexes and widely distributed mitochondria. Toward the end of amelogenesis, cells become oriented parallel to the enamel surface and the number of organelles is reduced. Amelogenesis in the frog is an extracellular process and mineralization seems to occur simultaneously with matrix formation.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1979

A correlated scanning and transmission electron microscopic study of maturation ameloblasts in developing molar teeth of rats.

Maturation ameloblasts of developing molar teeth of the rate were studied by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. After fixation, teeth were frozen and split. One face of the fractured tooth was used for SEM, the other for TEM. It was found that in some regions proximal junctional complexes separate the interameloblast space from the intercellular space of the papillary layer. Thereby an intercellular ameloblastic compartment is delineated which in some specimens contains a substance interpreted to be colloidal. Elsewhere the proximal junctions of ameloblasts are not present and free communication between the extracellular spaces is evident. The apical pole of ameloblasts varies in structure. Over some areas there is a distinct distal border zone with membranous infoldings which in some regions resembles a striated or ruffled border, but in other regions the membranes show whorl configurations. The distal border zone also contains granules with flocculent material. Elsewhere the ameloblasts display no distal border zone and the cells show a smooth membrane (except for pinocytotic vesicles and hemidesmosomes) facing the enamel surface. The lateral surface of ameloblasts exhibits a variety of surface configurations similar to but not as pronounced as those reported previously in rat incisor maturation ameloblasts.

Aging↗

PubMed1979

Cytochemical studies of ameloblasts and the surface layer of enamel of the rat incisor at the maturation stage.

In order to elucidate the cytochemical properties of the membranous structure between enamel and ameloblasts of the rat incisor at the maturation stage, chromic phosphotungstic acid (Cr-PTA) and periodic acid-silver methenamine (PA-silver) techniques for electron microscopy were employed in combination with a digestion test with hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, collagenase or trypsin. Also, acid phosphatase activity of ameloblasts at the maturation stage was examined with a modified GOMORI's metal salt method. An intensely Cr-PTA reactive band approximately 0.1 micron thick appeared along the surface layer of enamel at the transitional stage, and at the very beginning of the maturation stage another intensely Cr-PTA reactive band which was seen by uran-lead stain to be a delicate electron-dense membranous structure appeared as well between enamel and ameloblasts. A lot of cytoplasmic small vesicles or tubular structures, both intensely reactive to Cr-PTA, were observed near the apical membranes of the overlying ameloblasts indicating that those organelles must have been responsible for the secretion of the latter band. Acid phosphatase activity was clearly demonstrated at Cr-PTA reactive large vesicles in the cytoplasm of those cells. The PA-silver staining technique manifested a band heavily deposited with silver grains along the surface layer of enamel, i.e., where the former band existed, but showed no particular reaction at the latter, the band-like layer between enamel and ameloblasts. Hyaluronidase or neuraminidase treatment remarkably decreased the Cr-PTA reaction of the latter band. Trypsin or collagenase treatment, on the other hand, not only eliminated the Cr-PTA reaction but digested the band itself. These results suggest that the membranous structure between enamel and ameloblasts of a rat incisor is not so-called enamel cuticle but a basal lamina produced by overlying ameloblasts and that the basal lamina contains collagenous components even though it lies on enamel.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed2016

Ultrastructure of early amelogenesis in wild-type, Amelx-/-, and Enam-/- mice: enamel ribbon initiation on dentin mineral and ribbon orientation by ameloblasts.

INTRODUCTION: Dental enamel is comprised of highly organized, oriented apatite crystals, but how they form is unclear. METHODS: We used focused ion beam (FIB) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate early enamel formation in 7-week-old incisors from wild-type, Amelx-/-, and Enam-/- C56BL/6 mice. FIB surface imaging scans thicker samples so that the thin enamel ribbons do not pass as readily out of the plane of section, and generates serial images by a mill and view approach for computerized tomography. RESULTS: We demonstrate that wild-type enamel ribbons initiate on dentin mineral on the sides and tips of mineralized collagen fibers, and extend in clusters from dentin to the ameloblast membrane. The clustering suggested that groups of enamel ribbons were initiated and then extended by finger-like membrane processes as they retracted back into the ameloblast distal membrane. These findings support the conclusions that no organic nucleator is necessary for enamel ribbon initiation (although no ribbons form in the Enam-/- mice), and that enamel ribbons elongate along the ameloblast membrane and orient in the direction of its retrograde movement. Tomographic reconstruction videos revealed a complex of ameloblast membrane processes and invaginations associated with intercellular junctions proximal to the mineralization front and also highlighted interproximal extracellular enamel matrix accumulations proximal to the interrod growth sites, which we propose are important for expanding the interrod matrix and extending interrod enamel ribbons. Amelx-/- mice produce oriented enamel ribbons, but the ribbons fuse into fan-like structures. The matrix does not expand sufficiently to support formation of the Tomes process or establish rod and interrod organization. CONCLUSION: Amelogenin does not directly nucleate, shape, or orient enamel ribbons, but separates and supports the enamel ribbons, and expands the enamel matrix to accommodate continued ribbon elongation, retrograde ameloblast movement, and rod/interrod organization.

Ameloblast↗

PubMed1979

Physiological cell death of secretory ameloblasts in the rat incisor.

The migration of the ameloblasts in the continuously erupting incisors of the rat is accompanied by cell loss. Ameloblasts degenerate near the mesial and lateral cemento-enamel junctions in the secretory zone and in the middle two thirds of the region of postsecretory transition, degeneration being most marked where these areas merge. These findings support the hypothesis that the prism decussation in the enamel results from alternating transverse rows of secretory ameloblasts sliding past each other whilst elaborating their rods. The distribution of the degenerating cells suggests, however, that the sliding cell rows are not exactly transverse but arcuate, with the opening facing incisally. The progress of structural alterations of the nuclei in the degenerating ameloblasts appears to follow the pattern earlier described in vinblastine-damaged ameloblasts.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1978

Electron probe analysis of maturation ameloblasts of the rat incisor and calf molar.

Rapidly frozen upper incisor teeth of rats and molar teeth of calves were freeze fractured, freeze dried and dry dissected in preparation for energy dispersive x-ray emission microanalysis in the scanning electron microscope. Successive zones of ameloblasts adjacent to maturing rat incisor enamel were examined, beginning with cells adjacent to the least mature enamel and progressing to cells over increasingly more mature enamel. Pronounced Kalpha1,2 x-ray peaks were obtained for P, S, Cl, K and Fe but not for Ca. Ca levels were also very low compared with P, S, Cl and K in calf molar maturation ameloblasts, whereas they were high in the distal poles of the secretory odontoblasts in the same specimens. The findings indicate that both intra- and extracellular Ca levels are extremely low in maturation ameloblasts. It is concluded that Ca is neither stored nor concentrated in large amounts by the maturation ameloblasts prior to its entry into the enamel. The suggestion is made that the maturation ameloblasts might regulate entry of calcium into enamel by serving as a selective barrier.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1978

Electron microscopic localization of 5'-nucleotidase in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts.

5'-nucleotidase was demonstrated at the fine structural level in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts of the first mandibular molars of CD-1 mice. The enzyme was localized with the Wachstein & Meisel (1957) method along the plasma membranes of the cells of the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts. While 5'- nucleotidase was present throughout the stratum intermedium, only the proximal region of the plasma membranes of ameloblasts was demonstrably active for this enzyme. 5'-Nucleotidase has been implicated in transport of metabolites across cell membranes, and its localization in the present study supports this implication as well as the transport functions of the stratum intermedium and the stratum intermedium--ameloblastic interface.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1979

Ameloblastic fibroma and its sarcomatous transformation.

A case of ameloblastic fibroma, and one of its more aggressive variety, the ameloblastic "fibrosarcoma", are presented. The clinical and morphologic differences are discussed. In our opinion, ameloblastic "fibrosarcoma" is a semimalignant tumor. Therefore we propose "proliferating ameloblastic fibroma" as a more appropriate designation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Fine structure of the human secretory ameloblast.

The fine structure of secretory ameloblasts in primary tooth germs from a human fetus was investigated. Various aldehyde fixatives produced varying qualities of preservation. The morphology of the best preserved ameloblasts differed from that earlier described, mainly in the following respects: the rough endoplasmic cisternae were lamellated and regularly arranged, the mitochondria were of regular shape and size, and the ground substance was dense and homogenous. The extensive Golgi complexes, the mitochondria and the rough endoplasmic cisternae in the apical (distal) part of the ameloblast were longitudinally arranged.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1978

Transformation of ameloblastic fibroma to fibrosarcoma.

The direct transformation of an ameloblastic fibroma into a fibrosarcoma in a 16-year-old Caucasian male is reported. Although no ameloblastic epithelium was found in the recurrent tumor, the odontogenic origin of the fibrosarcoma was evident. The ameloblastic fibrosarcoma and the fibrosarcoma of identical odontogenic origin represent an entity which should be distinguished from conventional fibrosarcoma as these tumors demonstrate different clinical behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

The effect of colcemid on the structure and secretory activity of ameloblasts in the rat incisor as shown by radioautography after injection of 3H-proline.

Enamel secretion by ameloblasts was investigated in the incisors of 100 gm normal and colcemid-injected male rats. Morphological studies were done on rats given a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mg (1.25 mM) of colcemid and sacrified 1 to 4 hours after injection. Protein synthesis and secretion were investigated with radioautography in normal and colcemid-treated rats injected with 3H-proline and sacrificed at intervals between 0.5 and 3.5 hours after injection. Colcemid was injected 0.5 hours prior to 3H-proline in each experimental rat. Electron microscopic examination revealed several morphological alterations between 1 and 4 hours after injection of colcemid. These changes included fragmentation of the normally elongated rough endoplasmic reticulum into shorter profiles; a disorganization of the normally tubular configuration of the Golgi apparatus into a number of seples and profiles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum from Tomes' processes; and the accumulation of secretion granules at the mature face of the Golgi stacks, as well as in the infranuclear cytoplasm where thye are normally not found. Radioautography revealed that protein synthesis by the rough endoplasmic reticulum had continued in colcemid-altered ameloblasts. Labeled secretion granules were found at the mature surface of the Golgi stacks and in the infranuclear cytoplasm, however they did not migrate into Tomes' processes. Consequently, labeled enamel matrix did not appear extracellularly at the same time as in normal controls. Quantitative radioautography in the light microscope revealed that the effect of colcemid, although reversed within 4 hours, had temporarily inhibited normal migration, and exocytosis of secretion granules.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1979

Ultrastructural localization of adenosine triphosphatase in the stellate reticulum, stratum intermedium and ameloblasts of the mouse molar.

ATPase activity in the developing first mandibular molar of the mouse was demonstrated at the electron microscopic level with the method of Wachstein & Meisel (1957). It was localized along the cell surfaces of the ameloblast and stratum intermedium interface, the stratum intermedium and the stellate reticulum. The ATPase final reaction product was also present at the cell membranes of the proximal region of adjacent ameloblasts and extended to the level of the nuclei. The demonstration of ATPase mainly on the plasma membranes was similar to the observations by other investigators of various non-odontogenic cell types involved in the exchange of materials across plasma membranes.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed1979

Sequential ultrastructural changes in vinblastine-induced cell death of secretory ameloblasts of rat incisors in vivo.

Secretory ameloblasts in the continuously growing incisors of the rat were used to study the sequential changes in a mature cell type degenerating after administration of vinblastine at a dosage of 2 mg per kg body weight. In less than half an hour nearly all microtubules vanished. This was succeeded by progressive displacement of the nuclei and disorganization of the cytoplasmic structure. After 1 to 3 hours attached and free polyribosomes were converted into monoribosomes. All these cytoplasmic changes were seen in viable as well as in necrotic cell. Between 5 and 61/2 hours after application of the drug degeneration of nuclei began; these changes from the outset indicated that a particular ameloblast had been drawn into a sequence of events which would ultimately lead to its death. The progressive alterations of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the degenerating cells and the concurrent fragmentation and elimination of the fragments are described.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1978

Ameloblast differentiation: protein synthesis and secretion in fetal New Zealand white rabbit molar tooth organs and isolated epithelia "in vitro".

We have attempted in this preliminary communication to determine the kinetic behaviour pf intracellular and extracellular forms of secretory ameloblast proteins. Our experimental strategy assumes several intracellular forms of enamel proteins: preproenamel leads to proenamel leads to enamel protein (1) leads to enamel protein (2) leads to enamel protein (3) leads to etc. Intracellular preproenamel has a molecular weight of greater than 70,00 and is selectively inhibited by 6 micronM - 12 micronM proflavine. Synthesis and secretion requires 30 minutes in vitro. Secretory ameloblasts in vitro synthesize and secrete a number of proteins ranging from 94,000 daltons to 10,000 daltons. Isotopically-labeled leucine, cystine, proline, methionine and an amino acid mixture were all found to be incorporated into enamel proteins. Preliminary data with protease inhibitors indicates that an enamel protease is directly involved in proenamel leads to enamel protein processing.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1979

[Autoradiographic study of the activity of odontoblasts and secretory ameloblasts in the rat incisor: changes induced by vinblastine].

An autoradiographic study conducted on the rat incisor showed the presence 4 hours after (3H) proline injection, of 25-30% of the grains on the secreting cells and 70 to 75% on the extracellular matrics. The simultaneous injection of vinblastine sulphate reversed these percentages to 75-80% on the cellular level and 25-25% on the matrics. The vinblastine therefore inhibited the secretory processes of these cell types. On the other hand, due to the alkaloid, the number of grains present increased over the ameloblasts and principally over the intercellular spaces. The effects of these secretion and permeability variations suggested that a flow of precursor rich material reached the epithelial layer whatever the state of ameloblast activity.

Ameloblasts↗

PubMed1978

Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma. Report of a case in a Nigerian.

Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma is very rare and has not previously been reported from Nigeria. The case described here had typical clinical features, but the microscopic findings were unusual and difficult to interpret. The pathogenetic relationship between ameloblastic fibroma and fibrosarcoma is discussed.

Adult↗