Immuno-localization of glucose transporter 4 in healthy human gingiva

The gingiva has been shown to be a target tissue for several hormones. Insulin induces uptake of glucose in the peripheral tissues by upregulating the Glucose transporter 4 expression. Little information is available on the expression of Glucose transporter 4 in human gingiva.

In this regard, a pilot study was performed with the aim of determining the distribution pattern of Glucose transporter 4 in healthy human gingiva.

Immuno-histochemistry was performed on 10 mounted sections of healthy human gingiva with the primary antibody Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT 4). Appropriate positive and negative controls were used.

Glucose transporter 4 expression was observed in the basal and suprabasal layers of the gingival epithelium and fibroblasts of the gingival connective tissue.

This may be the first study to demonstrate the expression of GLUT 4 in the healthy human gingiva. The results of this study raise the possibility that gingiva may serve as a target tissue for insulin action.