Immunohistochemical localization of epithelial cells expressing transferrin receptors in normal and diseased human dento-gingival junction

The rate of cell proliferation, which is associated with the density of transferrin receptors on the cell surface, may have an effect on the homeostasis of epithelial cell populations in the dento‐gingival junction. In addition to moderate labeling of basal cells, intensive labeling of transferrin receptors was found on suprabasal cells of sulcular epithelium towards the gingival margin of healthy tissues. In contrast, biopsies from diseased tissue exhibited increased labeling towards the base of the pocket. This distribution of labeling suggests that the distinct suprabasal population of cells expressing the transferrin receptors is associated with the process of pocket formation. The density of transferrin receptors decreased towards the lamina propria of gingiva and towards the apical termination of the junctional epithelium. In samples from periodontal pockets, the number of receptors was high eveo in the germinative cell layers. Labeled cells were also demonstrated in crevicular washings. The washing method together with the demonstration of transferrin receptors may provide a new approach for the study of epithelial cell homeostasis in the dento‐gingival tissues.