Cytological response of the basal epithelial cell surface to the dental basement membrane

Reassociations of trypsin-isolated dental or foot epithelia and trypsin or EDTA-isolated dental papillae were cultured for short and long time periods on a semi solid medium. After trypsin treatment the basement membrane (BM) is removed. After EDTA treatment an intact BM remains associated with the dental papilla. Cytochalasin B was added to a series of cultures. These experiments demonstrate the behaviour of the basal epithelial cell surface in the presence or absence of an intact dental basement membrane. In the presence of the dental basement membrane the epithelia restore a flat surface within one hour.