Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
11:19
Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
11.9K
Localization of Integrin Beta-4 Subunit at Soft Tissue-Titanium or Zirconia Interface
Yasunori Ayukawa1, Ikiru Atsuta2, Yasuko Moriyama1
1Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|October 21, 2020
Summary
Zirconia dental implants show epithelial sealing capabilities similar to titanium, though less effective than natural teeth. This study investigated integrin beta4 subunit (Inβ4) localization in peri-implant tissues.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Implantology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Zirconia and titanium are common dental implant abutment materials, preventing gingival discoloration.
- The epithelial sealing capacity of zirconia implants is not well understood.
- Integrin beta4 subunit (Inβ4) is crucial for epithelial cell attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the localization of Inβ4 in gingival junctional epithelial (JE) cells attached to zirconia and titanium implant surfaces.
- To evaluate the epithelial sealing capability of zirconia compared to titanium implants.
Main Methods:
- Rat maxillary first molars were extracted, and implants with titanium (Ti) or zirconia transgingival parts were placed.
- Localization of Inβ4 was observed around implants.
- Morphological and functional changes in rat oral epithelial cells (OECs) cultured on different surfaces (Dish, Ti, zirconia) were assessed using Inβ4 immunofluorescence histochemistry and Western blotting.
Main Results:
- Peri-implant epithelium (PIE) morphology and Inβ4 localization around Ti and zirconia implants were similar after four weeks.
- Both implant types showed shorter Inβ4-positive bands in PIE compared to natural teeth's JE.
- OECs cultured on Ti and zirconia exhibited decreased Inβ4 expression levels compared to those on a culture dish.
Conclusions:
- Zirconia implants possess epithelial sealing properties comparable to titanium implants.
- While not as effective as natural teeth, zirconia demonstrates adequate epithelial sealing for dental applications.
- Further research may explore enhancing Inβ4 expression on zirconia surfaces.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
3.3K
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
3.3K
01:10Integrins
4.9K
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
4.9K
01:15Activation of Integrins
4.6K
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
4.6K