Immunohistochemical characteristics of epithelial cell rests of Malassez during cementum repair

To clarify the roles of epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ECRM) during periodontal repair, experimental root resorption was induced in rats and then the ECRM that existed in periodontal ligament during cementum repair was investigated using morphological and immunohistochemical approaches. At day 7, after mechanical injury, root resorption was observed and ECRM were present adjacent to the site of resorption lacunae. They were observed in periodontal ligament adjacent to site of the resorption lacunae. These ECRM were immunoreactive for bone morphogenetic protein-2. During the stage of early cementum repair, the ECRM were immunoreactive for osteopontin and ameloblastin. They strongly reacted to proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In uninjured control sections, ECRM located in the periodontal ligament adjacent to cementum were not immunoreactive for any antibodies. These findings suggested that ECRM may be related to cementum repair by activating their potential to secrete matrix proteins which have been expressed in tooth development.