The role of gingival connective tissue in determining epithelial differentiation

TLDR

Free connective tissue grafts from keratinized gingiva or non‑keratinized alveolar mucosa were transplanted into alveolar mucosa pouches in seven monkeys, exposed after 3–4 weeks to allow epithelialization, and examined clinically and histologically up to 12 months. Gingival connective tissue grafts developed keratinized epithelium identical to normal gingiva, whereas alveolar mucosa grafts remained non‑keratinized, demonstrating that gingival connective tissue induces keratinized epithelium.

Abstract

Free grafts of connective tissue, without epithelium, were transplanted from either the keratinized gingiva or the non‐keratinized alveolar mucosa (controls) into areas of the alveolar mucosa in seven monkeys. The grafts were placed in pouches created in the connective tissue as close as possible to the overlying epithelium. After 3–4 weeks, the transplants were exposed by removal of the overlying tissue in order to allow epithelialization from the surrounding non‐keratinized alveolar mucosa. The transplants were examined clinically and histologically at time periods between 1 and 12 months. The gingival connective tissue grafts became covered with keratinized epithelium displaying the same characteristics as those of normal gingival epithelium. The alveolar mucosa transplants were covered with non‐keratinized epithelium. This indicates that gingival connective tissue is capable of inducing the formation of a keratinized gingival epithelium.