The Diversity of Fibrillin Functions: Lessons from the Periodontal Ligament

Figure 2. Schematic representation of the modular structure of fibrillin-1 showing the regions of interaction with partner molecules, those that regulate the bioavailability of factors, those involved in the construction of microfibrils or elastin-containing fibers, those with effector functions, and those involved in cell attachment: the RGD sequence which binds integrins and the heparan sulfate binding sites which interact with heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Adapted from [61] and updated from the literature [62,63].

Figure 1. Schematic cross-sectional representation of a tooth, illustrating the organization and spatial relationship between the fibers of the PDL with the more abundant blood vessels on the alveolar bone side (left panel). High magnification views of the two framed regions of the left panel show the sagittal (upper right panel) and transverse (lower right panel) organizations of oxytalan fibers (fibrillin microfibrils) with collagen fibers ending in Sharpey’s fibers (bone perforating fibers). The capillaries and arterioles, embedded in the extracellular matrix, are surrounded by fibrillin fibers. The cementum is a calcified tissue that covers the root and anchors the fibers of the PDL to the tooth. It is produced by cementoblasts, and those that are not trapped in the cementum line up along the cementum surface throughout the entire length of the external covering of the PDL. The dentin is also a calcified tissue, more concentrated in hydroxyapatite crystals than cement. It is covered by enamel on the crown and cementum on the root and surrounds the entire pulp. It provides structural support and transmits sensory stimuli. The gingiva consists of a superficial epithelial layer and a…