Keratin expression in gingival tissue and primary cultured gingival keratinocytes: Are there differences?

Author(s)

Perillo Rosin, Flavia Cristina ^[1] ; Gonsalves, Heloisa ^[1] ; Santos, Anaeliza Figueiredo ^[1] ; Novaes, Cristina de Paula ^[1] ; Huang, Isaac ^[1] ; Zindel Deboni, Maria Cristina ^[2] ; Correa, Luciana ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Dent, Pathol Dept, Av Prof Lineu Presses 2227, Cidade Univ, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Dent, Dent Surg Dept, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY; v. 117, SEP 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the process of primary gingival keratinocytes culture obtained from normal human gingiva modifies the expression of keratins (K) 10, K14, and K19. Design: Human gingival fragments were collected from healthy individuals in the same oral site. One part of the samples underwent an immunohistochemistry assay for K10, K14, and K19. The labeling in the epithelium was quantified using a semiautomated method. Another part was used for primary gingival keratinocytes isolation and growth in two-dimensional culture. These cells were also stained for K10, K14, and K19 using immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry. Positive cells were counted, and the nuclei and cytoplasmatic labeling areas were quantified. Results: In the gingival tissue, a higher expression was found for K14 versus K10 (p < 0.001); K19 was negative in all samples. In gingival keratinocytes culture, K14 (89.6 %) had the highest expression with significant differences in relation to K10 (76.9 %, p < 0.01) and K19 (9.9 %, p < 0.01). The cells positive for K14 exhibited larger nuclei in comparison with K10 (p < 0.05) and K19 (p < 0.05), suggesting a more undifferentiated phenotype. K19 cells showed the largest cytoplasmatic labeling in relation to K10- (p < 0.05) and K14-positive (p < 0.05) cells. Conclusion: The process of growth in culture of gingival keratinocytes maintained the expression pattern of K10 and K14 observed in gingival tissues. However, this method induces the expression of K19, suggesting a potential transformation of the keratin network presented in the gingival keratinocytes during the formation of a monolayer in vitro. This reflects the dynamics of cell differentiation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/19028-6 - Effect of low level laser therapy on oxidative stress and DNA-damage response in oral mucosa cells exposed to chemotherapy agents and gamma radiation: in vitro study
• Grantee: Luciana Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants