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Figure 2. The epithelial rests of Malassez showed immunoreactivity to TrkA. (A,B) Sagittal views of the periodontal ligament and the epithelial rests of Malassez. Malassez epithelium was present at the coronal regions of the periodontal ligament (A), and it was localized adjacent to the root surface in the PDL. (C) Diagram of sagittal sections. Serial horizontal sections of 50 µm were obtained near the furcation of the molar. (D,H,L,P) Coronal views of the serial sections of 50 µm in sham-operated rats. Samples were obtained 6 wks (E,I,M,O), 8 wks (F,J,N,R), and 10 wks (G,K,O,S) after denervation. The inferior alveolar nerve denervation resulted in marked decreases in the size and the distribution of TrkA-positive cell clusters. Arrowheads indicate the Malassez epithelium. Bar = 500 µm for A and S. AB, alveolar bone; PDL, periodontal ligament; D, dentin.
