The vasculature of the rat molar gingival crevice

Microvasculature in gingivitis and chronic periodontitis: disruption of vascular networks with protracted inflammation

Gingivitis occurring when bacterial plaque accumulates in the gingival crevice provides a convenient and interesting model for chronic inflammation in humans. In some patients, gingivitis progresses to the destructive lesion of periodontitis, involving the formation of periodontal pockets. The basis for pocket formation and progression is not as yet clear, although neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) appear to play a protective role. Vascular changes appear to either facilitate or inhibit PMN function with the effect of either protecting from, or stimulating, periodontitis. Contrary to most circumstances, high endothelial cells in periodontitis are involved with PMN rather than lymphocyte emigration. Expansion of the microvasculature through increased vascular diameter and tortuosity as well as the development of high endothelial cells appears to protect from periodontitis by increasing the supply of both plasma defense factors and PMN to the tissues. Vascular changes that may oppose this and promote periodontitis are the formation of perivascular hyaline material and accumulation of basement membrane rests. The inadequate tissue turnover that accumulation of these vascular products represents can be argued as a vascular response to a chronic inflammation that has failed to eliminate the irritant. It is suggested that these vascular changes may account for the highly localized and burst-like pattern of pocket formation in periodontitis. Finally, it is possible that the recent observation that periodontitis is an independent risk factor for systemic vascular disease may reflect stimulation of acute phase protein synthesis by cytokines released by periodontal high endothelial cells.

An immunohistochemical and monastral blue-vascular labelling study on the involvement of capsaicin-sensitive sensory innervation of the junctional epithelium in neurogenic plasma extravasation in the rat gingiva

Nerve fibres immunoreactive for substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were located preferentially at the base of the junctional epithelium. Occasional fibres were observed in close proximity to the subepithelial, small blood vessels. The vascular connective tissue papillae projecting into the epithelium were more densely surrounded by SP- and CGRP-immunoreactive fibres in the interdental col than in other regions of the gingiva. In some cases, hyperplasia of the junctional epithelium was noted in the interdental col where the connective tissue papillae were invaded by widened vessels, indicating severe irritation. SP- and CGRP-immunoreactive fibres around these papillae showed increases in their immunoreactivity and thickness, with some fibres terminating as large expansions. Double immunohistochemical staining revealed the co-existence of SP and CGRP in all nerve fibres within and under the junctional epithelium. Capsaicin pretreatment eliminated most of the immunoreactivity for both peptides. Intravenous infusion of capsaicin or SP caused increased permeability in vessels underlying the junctional epithelium, as indicated by Monastral blue labelling. Labelled vessels were arranged not only in a network extending under the epithelium but also in loops protruding into the connective tissue papillae. These labelled vessels were most abundant in the interdental col, where vascular loops with more complex configurations exhibited strong staining in their walls. In the case of hyperplasia of the junctional epithelium in the interdental col, widened vessels showing extensive labelling in their walls were observed. In capsaicin-pretreated animals, capsaicin-induced extravasation was abolished, while the effect of SP was still observed. These findings provide evidence that capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves supplying the junctional epithelium are involved in neurogenic plasma extravasation in the rat gingiva. The enhancement of neurogenic plasma extravasation in the col may be vascular response associated with a higher susceptibility of this region to gingival inflammation.

A scanning electron microscope study of microcorrosion casts of the microvasculature of the marmoset palate, gingiva and periodontal ligament

In the hard palate, sagittally oriented capillary loops, 8-10 microns in diameter and 70-250 microns high, extended perpendicularly from a subcapillary plexus to the connective tissue papillae. These loops formed a well-delineated vascular spine beneath the rugal crests. Capillary loop density was estimated to be 200-270/mm2 on the rugal crest, 75-160/mm2 on the rugal slopes and 70-140/mm2 in the trough. In the gingiva, the crevicular loop system was separated by a gap from the vestibular, palatal and col loop systems. Anastomoses occurred between these systems at a deeper level. The crevicular circular plexus varied from 1 to 4 vessels. Apical to the gingival margin the buccal vasculature was composed of occluso-apically orientated loops draining towards the vestibular sulcus. The capillary loops were 60-120 microns high near the gingival margin, compared with 40-60 microns near the mucogingival junction. The mucogingival margin was demarcated by a change in capillary orientation. The periodontal ligament contained mainly postcapillary-sized venules, 10-25 microns in diameter, orientated occluso-apically. Capillary loops, 50-100 microns long and directed at right angles to the root surface, occurred in the cervical third. These microvascular patterns of the marmoset are different from those of the mouse and rat.

Non-invasive intravital fluorescent microscopy of the hamster gingiva

Several attempts have been made to visualize the gingival microcirculation of small animals. Most of these attempts have required surgical procedures without control of the local tissue environment. In our current study of the hamster gingiva, a tissue bath was designed to allow microcirculatory observations of the periodontium of the superior incisors without the need for invasive surgical procedures and with controlled pH and temperature of the bathing solution. Dextrans (m.w. = 70,000 and m.w. = 150,000), bovine serum albumin (mw = 66,210) or a globulin fraction (mw = greater than 450,000 less than 825,000) were conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate and injected into the animal. Fluorescent images, produced by epi-illumination, were analyzed for the light intensity of the interstitium. There was a large and rapid increase in light intensity (leakage of the macromolecules) near the venules while capillaries of the gingival margin developed interstitial fluorescence at a slower rate and with a lower maximal effect. Molecular weight, shape or charge of the macromolecular or age of the animal did not affect the results. This new preparation could be used to study the contribution of the microcirculation to gingivitis, the role of gingivitis in the development of periodontal disease, or the effects of drugs and hormones on the microcirculation of the gingiva.

Ultrastructure of the venous ampulla in the interradicular microvascular bed of the mandibular molars of Mus musculus

The interradicular periodontal ligament of mandibular molars contains an apparently unique dilated vessel straddling the interradicular alveolar bone. This structure is designated a venous ampulla. The vessel possesses a luminal length and width of approximately 200 X 100 microns, respectively. Ultrastructurally, the endothelium has an average thickness of 0.35 micron, a continuous basement membrane, and an incomplete layer of pericytes. Open endothelial junctions are not present. The anatomy of the vessel wall differs markedly on the dental- and bone-related aspects. Calculated ratios for the luminal diameter to wall thickness vary from 1:80 to 1:150. Postcapillary-sized limbs from this vessel drain into the interradicular septum of bone and the ligament microvascular bed. Arterial supply to the ampulla is provided via arteriovenous anastomoses characterized by their association with myelinated and unmyelinated nerve groups. Oxytalan fibers are present throughout the wall of the venous ampulla, penetrating to the abluminal side of the endothelium where they are associated with unmyelinated axons and free nerve endings. Elsewhere, oxytalan fibers are related to the arteriovenous anastomoses and their accompanying myelinated and unmyelinated nerves located adjacent to the endothelium. Pericytes form membranous contacts with the endothelium of the arteriovenous anastomoses and have processes penetrating the endothelium basement membrane.

A scanning electron-microscopic, stereo-pair study of methacrylate corrosion casts of the mouse palatal and molar periodontal microvasculature

Microvascular beds of the palate, gingiva and periodontal ligament had interconnected but distinct, regional patterns. The palatal vasculature reflected mucosal-crest morphology: crestal capillary vessels of the rugae anastomosed with sagitally-orientated rows of 8 microns capillary loops, and, in the inter-rugal troughs, these formed a flat plexus overlying collecting veins more than 100 microns in diameter. Maxillary and mandibular molar ligaments had similar microvascular patterns. The molar gingiva had a circular, outer capillary and inner venous system linked by radial anastomoses. The outer (7 microns) capillaries enclosed the three molars in a continuous horizontal loop coursing beneath the crestal epithelium; the inner (10-15 microns) venous vessels encircled each molar just below the epithelial attachment. Glomerulus-like vascular formations, with an arterial and venous stalk, were associated with the inner circular system and extended toward the crevicular epithelium. Axially aligned, post-capillary, periodontal-ligament vessels (21 microns) anastomosed with the inner circular system, forming different patterns in the occlusal, middle and apical thirds. The apical pattern comprised an enveloping plexus of anastomosing venous vessels supplied by arterio-venous shunts; similar shunts were present throughout the ligament. The microvascular bed of the mandibular inter-radicular ligament was characterized by the presence of a large venous ampulla measuring 60 by 200 microns. Some regions of the ligament microvasculature drained via the medullary vessels into 50 microns-diameter venules located interdentally deep to the molar apices. Volumetrically, the ligament microvascular bed was predominantly of post-capillary venules, and morphologically, a paired arterial and venous system was not demonstrated.