Distribution of transforming growth factor beta1-binding proteins and low-affinity receptors during odontoblast differentiation in the mouse.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was immunolocalized within differentiated odontoblasts and ameloblasts while LAP-beta1 was detected at the apicol pole of odonotoblasts and ameloblasts and in predentine. Anti-LAP-beta1 antibodies also stained the epithelial-mesenchymal junction (EMJ). Decorin was immunolocalized in young functional odonotoblasts and in both predentine and dentine. Biglycan was similarly distributed but absent from dentine. Immunostaining with anti-latent TGF-beta1 binding protein-1 (LTBP-1) showed fibrillar structures located at the EMJ and between predontoblasts and odontoblasts; at older states staining was restricted to the dental papilla and sac. Thus differentiated odonotoblasts express TGF-beta1 and in a more restricted manner decorin, biglycan and LAP-beta1; it can be assumed that TGF-beta1 is able to interact with the three molecules present in predentine. Earlier, LTBP-1 and LAP-beta1, both present at the EMJ, may contribute to odontoblast differentiation.