FINE-STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS OF CALCIUM STORAGE IN HUMAN DENTAL-PULP CELLS IN PRIMARY CULTURE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 7  (4) , 307-320
Abstract
Primary culture of explants of human dental pulp tissue allows the study of the cytophysiology and differentiation of the cultured cells over a 2-wk period. The distribution of Ca was studied with and without Ca loading, by means of a lead technique checked by microprobe analysis. The existence of 2 cell populations was revealed. Intra-mitochondrial ring-like granules characterize type 1 cells when overloaded, while a strong Ca storage is detected in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and mitochondria (without any inner organization of the deposits) of the type 2 cells. Ca was present in gap-junctions (revealed by La method), and on the extracellular matrix (collagen fibers and complex carbohydrates). The ability of some mitochondria to store Ca (ring-like granules) suggests that the type 1 cells are fully differentiated in odontoblast-like cells and perhaps engaged in mineralization processes. The Ca binding sites localized on the extracellular matrix may therefore be considered the earliest foci of calcification.

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