Ultrastructure of squamous epithelium during wound healing in palatal mucosa of guinea pigs

Abstract

– The ultrastructure of the epithelium of wounded guinea pig palate was studied. Twenty‐four biopsies (animals) were used. Biopsies were taken 18, 48, 96, and 120 h after wounding. Essential changes in epithelial cell structure in response to wounding were as follows: microfilaments, suggested to represent actin‐containing filaments, became evident in the cortical cytoplasmic zone. Micro tubules prevailed in the peripheral cytoplasm. Tonofilament bundles assumed the character of short tufts or delicate bundles and. the amount of non‐bundled tonofilaments was increased. These observations suggest changes in the cytoskeletal/contractile system facilitating cell motility. The structure of lysosomal profiles indicates an enhanced phagocytic capability. Influence of fixation on preservation of non‐membrane‐bound organelles is suggested based on comparable morphometric data.

Recent advances in oral mucosal research

“…The healing of wounds of the oral mucosa has been quite extensively studied by ultrastructural, cell kinetic and immunofluorescent techniques. The time-related structural changes occurring in the epithelial, connective tissue and basal lamina components have been described (Fejerskov & Philipsen 1972, Dabelsteen & Mackenzie 1976, Fejerskov 1972, Sciubba 1977, Andersen 1980. Comparison of heahng of mucosal and skin wounds demonstrates that the sequence of events is similar, but that all phases of activity occur more rapidly in mucosa (Sciubba et al 1978).…”