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Cited by 388Oral microbiology and periodontitis researchOral and gingival health researchPeriodontal Regeneration and Treatments

The Junctional Epithelium: from Health to Disease

Bosshardt, D.D., Lang, N.P.·2005·Journal of Dental Research
DOI 10.1177/154405910508400102
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Abstract

The junctional epithelium is located at a strategically important interface between the gingival sulcus, populated with bacteria, and the periodontal soft and mineralized connective tissues that need protection from becoming exposed to bacteria and their products. Its unique structural and functional adaptation enables the junctional epithelium to control the constant microbiological challenge. The antimicrobial defense mechanisms of the junctional epithelium, however, do not preclude the development of gingival and periodontal lesions. The conversion of the junctional to pocket epithelium, which is regarded as a hallmark in disease initiation, has been the focus of intense research in recent years. Research has shown that the junctional epithelial cells may play a much more active role in the innate defense mechanisms than previously assumed. They synthesize a variety of molecules directly involved in the combat against bacteria and their products. In addition, they express molecules that mediate the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes toward the bottom of the gingival sulcus. Periodontopathogens—such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans or, in particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis—have developed sophisticated methods to perturb the structural and functional integrity of the junctional epithelium. Research has focused on the direct effects of gingipains, cysteine proteinases produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, on junctional epithelial cells. These virulence factors may specifically degrade components of the cell-to-cell contacts. This review will focus on the unique structural organization of the junctional epithelium, on the nature and functions of the various molecules expressed by its cells, and on how gingipains may attenuate the junctional epithelium’s structural and functional integrity.

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  • BOP is the result of ulceration of the sulcular epithelium caused by manipulation of these tissues, normally by a periodontal probe, in the presence of pathogenic bacteria.

    “BOP is the result of ulceration of the sulcular epithelium caused by manipulation of these tissues, normally by a periodontal probe, in the presence of pathogenic bacteria. 35 , 36 , 37”

    From Prognostic utility of oral neutrophil counts in high-risk periodontitis: A retrospective study (2025) · cites this paper as [36]

  • Extravascular metabolic products can enhance systemic inflammatory cytokines and may lead to disruptive effects on the endothelium, including reduced ability to produce nitric oxide.

    “These extravascular metabolic products can enhance systemic inflammatory cytokines (34) and may lead to disruptive effects on the blood vessel's endothelium, including the reduced ability for the endothelium to produce nitric oxide (6, 7, 30, 31).”

    From Oral inflammatory load predicts vascular function in a young adult population: a pilot study (2023) · cites this paper as [30]

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Authors
Bosshardt, D. D., & Lang, N. P.
Affiliations
University of Bern (CH)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Dental Research
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2005-01
Volume
84
Issue
1
Pages
9-20
ISSN
  • 0022-0345 (ISSN-L)
  • 1544-0591
DOI
10.1177/154405910508400102
OpenAlex
W1970638674
Cited by
388
References
128
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 19
FWCI
1.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Dental Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Oral and gingival health research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Periodontal Regeneration and Treatments
Keywords
junctional epithelium, periodontal disease, gingival lesions, innate immunity, antimicrobial defense, leukocyte migration, Porphyromonas gingivalis, gingipains, cysteine protease, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, periodontal pathogens, cell-cell contact, gingival sulcus
MeSH terms
Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases, Animals, Cell Communication, Cysteine Endopeptidases, Epithelial Attachment, Hemagglutinins, Humans, Periodontal Pocket, Cell Adhesion Molecules, Cytokines, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Adhesins, Bacterial

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