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Οι πρωτεογλυκάνες και οι αλυσίδες γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών τους αλληλεπιδρούν με αυξητικούς παράγοντες, διαμεμβρανικούς υποδοχείς όπως οι ιντεγκρίνες, ένζυμα, αναστολείς πρωτεασών και με άλλα μόρια της εξωκυττάριας ύλης όπως η ινονεκτίνη, η λαμινίνη και η tenascin. Στην παρούσα διατριβή μελετήσαμε τη χωροχρονική κατανομή των πρωτεογλυκανών versican και CD44 με τη μέθοδο της RT-PCR και του ανοσοφθορισμού από το στάδιο ΧΙ-ΧΙΙ (μορίδιο) έως το στάδιο ΗΗ16+ (28-29 ζεύγη σωμιτών) και τον ρόλο της versican και της CD44 με τη χρήση μονοκλωνικών αντισωμάτων έναντι αυτών κατά την ανάπτυξη του πρώιμου εμβρύου. Η versican είναι πρωτεογλυκάνη θειικής χονδροϊτίνης και αλληλεπιδρά με αυξητικούς παράγοντες, με διάφορες πρωτεΐνες της εξωκυττάριας ύλης και με διαμεμβρανικούς υποδοχείς όπως η CD44. Τα αποτελέσματα της RT-PCR έδειξαν ότι το mRNA της versican εκφράζεται σε όλα τα αναπτυξιακά στάδια που μελετήσαμε. Ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζουν τα προϊόντα εναλλακτικής ωρίμανσης της versican που ανιχνεύσαμε ακόμα και στο στάδιο του μοριδίου και που η έκφρασή τους ρυθμίζεται αναπτυξιακά. Η παρουσία του mRNA της versican σε υψηλά επίπεδα στο στάδιο του μοριδίου (ΧΙ-ΧΙΙ) υποδεικνύει ότι το mRNA της versican είναι ωογενετικής προέλευσης στο στάδιο αυτό. Τα πειράματα μας του ανοσοφθορισμού έδειξαν ότι η versican πρωτεΐνη ανιχνεύεται στο στάδιο του μοριδίου και εκφράζεται έντονα στην επιβλάστη και στην υποβλάστη στο στάδιο του προχωρημένου βλαστιδίου (στάδιο ΧΙΙΙ). Στο στάδιο ΗΗ3+ (ενδιάμεσο γαστρίδιο / intermediate streak) παρατηρήσαμε μεγάλη ένταση φθορισμού στα κύτταρα που μεταναστεύουν μέσα από την πρωτογενή αύλακα και στα μεσεγχυματικά κύτταρα που θα σχηματίσουν το μεσόδερμα και το ενδόδερμα. Στο στάδιο ΗΗ4 (προχωρημένο γαστρίδιο / definitive streak) ένταση φθορισμού της versican ανιχνεύθηκε κύτταρα που μεταναστεύουν μέσα από την πρωτογενή αύλακα καθώς και στα κύτταρα που έχουν αρχίσει να σχηματίζουν το μεσόδερμα και το ενδόδερμα. Στο στάδιο που το έμβρυο έχει σχηματίσει 4 ζεύγη σωμιτών (στάδιο ΗΗ8), ανιχνεύσαμε υψηλή ένταση φθορισμού της versican στη νευρική πλάκα και στις νευρικές πτυχές καθώς ανασηκώνονται να σχηματίσουν το νευρικό σωλήνα. Στο στάδιο ΗΗ12 (16 ζεύγη σωμιτών), ισχυρή ένταση φθορισμού της versican ανιχνεύσαμε στο νευρικό σωλήνα, στο γειτονικό του εξώδερμα, στα κύτταρα της νευρικής ακρολοφίας (neural crest), στα κύτταρα του σωμίτη, στο μεσονέφρο και στο γειτονικό του πλάγιο μεσόδερμα που θα σχηματίσει τους μεσονεφρικούς σωληνίσκους. Αργότερα στην ανάπτυξη, ισχυρή ένταση φθορισμού της versican ανιχνεύσαμε επίσης στο διεγκέφαλο, στον οπτικό μίσχο, στο μεσεγκέφαλο, στο μυελεγκέφαλο, στα τοιχώματα του φάρυγγα και της ραχιαίας αορτής, στο ραχιαίο μεσοκάρδιο, στο μυοκάρδιο και στο ενδοκάρδιο, στο μυοτόμο και σκληροτόμο στους σωμίτες, στα τοιχώματα του εντέρου, καθώς και στην εξωκυττάρια ύλη των εμβρυϊκών κοιλοτήτων. Πειράματα σε έμβρυα που εκτέθηκαν στο αντίσωμα έναντι της versican σε διαφορετικά στάδια ανάπτυξης από το μορίδιο ως το προχωρημένο γαστρίδιο έδειξαν ότι η versican πιθανόν να συμμετέχει στα μονοπάτια σηματοδότησης που καθοδηγούν τη μετανάστευση των κυττάρων της νευρικής ακρολοφίας, στο μοριακό δίκτυο για το σχηματισμό του νευρικού σωλήνα, στον καθορισμό ή / και στη διαμερισματοποίηση των προκαρδιακών κυττάρων κατά το σχηματισμό της καρδιάς και στη διατήρηση της αρχιτεκτονικής των εμβρυϊκών κοιλοτήτων. Η CD44 είναι πρωτεογλυκάνη της κυτταρικής επιφάνειας και είναι ο κύριος υποδοχέας του υαλουρονικού. Ανιχνεύσαμε τη CD44 πρωτεΐνη ακόμα και στο στάδιο του μοριδίου. Η παρουσία του mRNA της CD44 σε υψηλά επίπεδα στο στάδιο του μοριδίου μπορεί να δείχνει ότι το mRNA είναι ωογενετικής προέλευσης. Με τη μέθοδο του ανοσοφθορισμού ανιχνεύσαμε έντονο φθορισμό της CD44 στα κύτταρα της επιβλάστης και ειδικότερα σε αυτά που γειτονεύουν με το βλαστόκοιλο και στην υποβλάστη στο στάδιο του προχωρημένου βλαστίδιου (ΧΙΙΙ), ενώ στο στάδιο ΗΗ3+ καθώς συνεχίζονται οι μορφογενετικές κινήσεις της γαστριδίωσης, η CD44 παρουσιάζει ισχυρή ένταση φθορισμού στα κύτταρα της επιβλάστης ,στα μεσεγχυματικά κύτταρα και στα κύτταρα του ενδοδέρματος. Στο στάδιο ΗΗ8 (4 ζεύγη σωμίτες), ανιχνεύσαμε ένταση φθορισμού της CD44 στη νευρική πλάκα και στις νευρικές πτυχές με πρότυπο έκφρασης παρόμοιο με αυτό της έκφρασης της versican. Αργότερα στην ανάπτυξη, στο στάδιο ΗΗ16+ (28-29 ζεύγη σωμιτών) ανιχνεύσαμε ισχυρή ένταση φθορισμού της CD44 ανιχνεύθηκε στα τοιχώματα του διεγκεφάλου, του μεσεγκεφάλου και του νευρικού σωλήνα, στα τοιχώματα του φάρυγγα, στις ραχιαίες και κοιλιακές αορτές, στα αορτικά τόξα, στη νωτοχορδή, στην εξωκυττάρια ύλη στην κοιλότητα του μεσεγκεφάλου και στην κοιλότητα του φάρυγγα, στο ακουστικό κυστίδιο και στην κοιλότητα του ακουστικού κυστιδίου και στα κύτταρα της νευρικής ακρολοφίας που μεταναστεύουν προς το ακουστικό κυστίδιο. Υψηλή ένταση φθορισμού της CD44 ανιχνεύσαμε επίσης στο σκληροτόμο και στο μυοτόμο στους σωμίτες, στα κύτταρα της νευρικής ακρολοφίας, στο ήπαρ, στο μυοκάρδιο, στο ενδοκάρδιο, στον αγωγό φλέβας και στο μεσονέφρο. Έμβρυα που εκτέθηκαν στο αντίσωμα έναντι της CD44 σε διαφορετικά στάδια ανάπτυξης από το μορίδιο ως το πρώιμο νευρίδιο έδειξαν το σημαντικό ρόλο της CD44 στην μορφογένεση του εγκεφάλου, στη διατήρηση της αρχιτεκτονικής της κοιλότητας του εγκεφάλου και των άλλων εμβρυϊκών κοιλοτήτων, στην μετανάστευση των κυττάρων της νευρικής ακρολοφίας, στον σχηματισμό της καρδιάς και του αγγειακού συστήματος και στη μορφογένεση των σωμιτών. Τα αποτελέσματα μας έδειξαν τη συνεργιστική δράση των CD44 και versican κατά την ανάπτυξη του πρώιμου εμβρύου. / Proteoglycans and their associated glycosaminoglycans can bind growth factors, integrin and non-integrin cell surface molecules, enzymes, protease inhibitors and other extracellular matrix components including fibronectin, laminin and tenascin. We studied the expression and spatiotemporal distribution of versican and CD44 by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence in the chick embryo from the morula stage (stage XI-XII) to early organogenesis (stage HH16+, 28-29 somites). We also studied the versican and CD44 role by using blocking antibodies in the early chick embryo. Versican is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan that binds growth factors and interacts with various extracellular matrix proteins and cell surface molecules including the CD44. Combined RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry demonstrated the expression of versican as early as the morula stage. Interestingly, we detected splice variants of versican at the morula stage, and their expression was developmentally regulated. The presence of versican mRNA at the morula stage may indicate that it is of oogenetic origin. Versican fluorescence was strong in the epiblast and the hypoblast at the late blastula stage (XIII). At stage HH3+ (intermediate streak), versican expression was intense in the cells ingressing through the primitive streak and the migrating mesenchymal cells which will form the mesoderm and endoderm. By the definitive streak stage (HH4), versican fluorescence was intense in the cells ingressing through the primitive streak and in the mesenchymal cells that have already started to form the mesoderm and endoderm. At stage HH8 (4 somite pairs), versican expression was strong in the neural plate, the elevated neural folds and the ectoderm neighboring the neural folds. At stage HH12 (16 somite pairs), versican fluorescence was intense in the neural tube and its adjacent ectoderm, the neural crest cells, the somite and in the mesonephros and in the adjacent lateral mesoderm that will form the mesonephric tubules. Later in development, versican fluorescence was intense in the diencephalon, the optic stalk, mesencephalon, myelencephalon. Versican fluorescence was also intense in the dorsal mesocardium, myocardium and endocardium, dorsal aorta and aortic arches, in the myotome and sclerotome in somites, gut and in the extracellular matrix of embryonic cavities. Inhibition of the function of versican by blocking antibodies showed that versican is crucial for the neural tube closure, neural crest migration, formation of the heart tube, for the architecture of embryonic cavities and consequently tissue and organ morphogenesis. CD44 is a transmembrane part-time proteoglycan and the main receptor for hyaluronan. We detected CD44 protein even at the morula stage. The presence of high levels of CD44 mRNA at the morula stage indicated that this is an oogenetic mRNA. CD44 fluorescence was strong in the epiblast cells, especially those neighboring the blastocoele, and in the hypoblast at the late blastula stage (XIII). At stage HH3+, during gastrulation, CD44 was expressed strongly in the epiblast cells, in mesenchymal cells and in endoderm cells. At stage HH8 (4 somite pairs), strong CD44 expression was detected in the neural plate and neural folds and their adjacent ectoderm and this expression pattern was similar to that of versican. Later in development, CD44 expression was intense in the diencephalon, optic stalks, mesencephalon, myelencephalon, metencephalon, auditory vesicles and the neural crest cells migrating towards the auditory vesicle and the neural tube. CD44 fluorescence was also intense in the dorsal mesocardium, myocardium, endocardium, aortae and aortic arches, sclerotome and myotome in somites, mesonephros, liver, gut and in the migrating neural crest cells that will form the sympathetic and enteric ganglia. Inhibition of CD44 function by blocking antibodies showed that CD44 is crucial for the architecture of the embryonic cavities such as the brain lumen, neural tube closure, neural crest cell migration, cardiac and cardiovascular formation and somite morphogenesis. Our results showed a synergistic role of CD44 and versican during the development of the early embryo.

Orientador: José Luiz Laus / Coorientador: Marcela Aldrovani Rodrigues / Banca: João Antonio Tadeu Pigatto / Banca: Aline Adriana Bolzan / Resumo: Por objetivos, estudaram-se procedimentos em cultivo celular e se eles alteram a supraorganização da matriz extracelular (MEC) amniótica e da límbica, considerando-se propriedades anisotrópicas dos biopolímeros em comum, isto é, colágenos fibrilares e proteoglicanos. Explantes límbicos de coelhos foram cultivados sobre fragmentos de membrana amniótica (MA) desepitelizada humana, por dois, sete e 15 dias. Fragmentos não cultivados de MA e de limbo foram usados como controles. Avaliaram-se parâmetros de birrefringência em fibras colágenas e de absorção e de dicroísmo linear (LD) em proteoglicanos, da MEC amniótica e da límbica. Todas as análises foram conduzidas em microscópio óptico munido de luz polarizada, filtros monocromadores com diferentes comprimentos de onda e vídeo-câmera. Empregaram-se procedimentos em análise digital de imagens (software Image J®, NIH, USA). Parâmetros de birrefringência revelaram que os graus de paralelismo das fibras colágenas amnióticas foram de 1,02 nos controles, 1,17 nas amostras cultivadas por dois dias, 1,26 nas amostras cultivadas por sete dias e de 1,17 nas amostras cultivadas por 15 dias. Relativamente às fibras límbicas, foram de 1,33, 1,17, 1,25 e 1,44. Os contrastes dos brilhos das birrefringências das fibras amnióticas foram de 2,0 nos controles, 13,25 nas amostras cultivadas por dois dias, 19,26 nas amostras cultivadas por sete dias e de 13,23 nas amostras cultivadas por 15 dias. Relativamente às fibras límbicas, foram de 23,01, 13,39, 19,90 e 30,31. Cores de interferência causadas por dispersão anômala de birrefringência foram detectadas. Procedimentos em cultivo celular alteraram parâmetros absorciométricos relacionados à supraorganização dos proteoglicanos da MEC amniótica e da límbica. As MAs de todas as amostras, exceto as cultivadas por 15 dias, apresentaram-se com valores negativos de DL. Os valores de DL dos limbos de todas as amostras, exceto... / Abstract: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether procedures on cell culture alter the supraorganization of amniotic and limbal extracellular matrix (ECM). Anisotropic properties of fibrillar collagen and proteoglycans were studied, since they correspond to major extracellular biopolymers. Rabbit limbal explants were cultured on denuded human amniotic membrane (AM) for two, seven, and 15 days. Uncultured AM and limbus were used as controls. Birefringence parameters related to the supraorganization of collagen fibers, and spectral absorption and linear dichroism (LD) related to the supraorganization of proteoglycans were evaluated. All samples were evaluated on microscope equipped with polarized light, monochromatic filters with varying wavelengths, and digital video camera. Birefringence, absorbances and LD were quantified by using image analyses software (Image J®, NIH, USA). Studies on birefringence showed that parallelism degrees of amniotic collagen fibers were of 1.02 for the control group, 1.17 for the two days culture, 1.26 for the seven days culture, and 1.17 for the 15 days culture. In relation to limbal collagen fibers, parallelism degrees were of 1.33, 1.17, 1.25, and 1.44. Birefringence brightness contrasts of amniotic collagen fibers were of 2.0 for the control group, 13.25 for the two days culture, 19.26 for the seven days culture, and 13.23 for the 15 days culture. In relation to limbal collagen fibers, birefringence brightnesses were of 23.01, 13.39, 19.90, and 30.31. Interference colors due to anomalous birefringence dispersion were observed. Procedures on cell culture induced alterations in absorbance values related to proteoglycans from amniotic and limbal ECM. In all samples, except on those cultured for 15 days, the amniotic ECM showed negative DL values. The DL of limbal ECM varied between negative and positive values for all, except on two days culture / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-06T13:03:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-07-24. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-06T13:18:12Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000848379.pdf: 743130 bytes, checksum: d77bb064fd18e5841495951287d9ff0f (MD5) / Por objetivos, estudaram-se procedimentos em cultivo celular e se eles alteram a supraorganização da matriz extracelular (MEC) amniótica e da límbica, considerando-se propriedades anisotrópicas dos biopolímeros em comum, isto é, colágenos fibrilares e proteoglicanos. Explantes límbicos de coelhos foram cultivados sobre fragmentos de membrana amniótica (MA) desepitelizada humana, por dois, sete e 15 dias. Fragmentos não cultivados de MA e de limbo foram usados como controles. Avaliaram-se parâmetros de birrefringência em fibras colágenas e de absorção e de dicroísmo linear (LD) em proteoglicanos, da MEC amniótica e da límbica. Todas as análises foram conduzidas em microscópio óptico munido de luz polarizada, filtros monocromadores com diferentes comprimentos de onda e vídeo-câmera. Empregaram-se procedimentos em análise digital de imagens (software Image J®, NIH, USA). Parâmetros de birrefringência revelaram que os graus de paralelismo das fibras colágenas amnióticas foram de 1,02 nos controles, 1,17 nas amostras cultivadas por dois dias, 1,26 nas amostras cultivadas por sete dias e de 1,17 nas amostras cultivadas por 15 dias. Relativamente às fibras límbicas, foram de 1,33, 1,17, 1,25 e 1,44. Os contrastes dos brilhos das birrefringências das fibras amnióticas foram de 2,0 nos controles, 13,25 nas amostras cultivadas por dois dias, 19,26 nas amostras cultivadas por sete dias e de 13,23 nas amostras cultivadas por 15 dias. Relativamente às fibras límbicas, foram de 23,01, 13,39, 19,90 e 30,31. Cores de interferência causadas por dispersão anômala de birrefringência foram detectadas. Procedimentos em cultivo celular alteraram parâmetros absorciométricos relacionados à supraorganização dos proteoglicanos da MEC amniótica e da límbica. As MAs de todas as amostras, exceto as cultivadas por 15 dias, apresentaram-se com valores negativos de DL. Os valores de DL dos limbos de todas as amostras, exceto... / The goal of this study was to evaluate whether procedures on cell culture alter the supraorganization of amniotic and limbal extracellular matrix (ECM). Anisotropic properties of fibrillar collagen and proteoglycans were studied, since they correspond to major extracellular biopolymers. Rabbit limbal explants were cultured on denuded human amniotic membrane (AM) for two, seven, and 15 days. Uncultured AM and limbus were used as controls. Birefringence parameters related to the supraorganization of collagen fibers, and spectral absorption and linear dichroism (LD) related to the supraorganization of proteoglycans were evaluated. All samples were evaluated on microscope equipped with polarized light, monochromatic filters with varying wavelengths, and digital video camera. Birefringence, absorbances and LD were quantified by using image analyses software (Image J®, NIH, USA). Studies on birefringence showed that parallelism degrees of amniotic collagen fibers were of 1.02 for the control group, 1.17 for the two days culture, 1.26 for the seven days culture, and 1.17 for the 15 days culture. In relation to limbal collagen fibers, parallelism degrees were of 1.33, 1.17, 1.25, and 1.44. Birefringence brightness contrasts of amniotic collagen fibers were of 2.0 for the control group, 13.25 for the two days culture, 19.26 for the seven days culture, and 13.23 for the 15 days culture. In relation to limbal collagen fibers, birefringence brightnesses were of 23.01, 13.39, 19.90, and 30.31. Interference colors due to anomalous birefringence dispersion were observed. Procedures on cell culture induced alterations in absorbance values related to proteoglycans from amniotic and limbal ECM. In all samples, except on those cultured for 15 days, the amniotic ECM showed negative DL values. The DL of limbal ECM varied between negative and positive values for all, except on two days culture

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Elaborate vascularization of the retina is crucial for the development and functioning of the eye. The proper patterning of astrocytes is a key event preceding retinal angiogenesis by providing guidance cues for endothelial cells, yet how this is regulated still remains obscure. The dual function of proteoglycans in both extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and cell signal transduction suggests their potential in the regulation of astrocyte migration. The current study demonstrated that non-cell-autonomous regulation by neuroretina cell surface proteoglycan is crucial for PDGF-A regulated astrocyte migration. Ablation of glycosaminoglycan side chains of proteoglycans in neuroretina led to impaired astrocyte migration, incomplete retinal angiogenesis, and hyaloid vessel persistence. This is followed by severe photoreceptor degeneration as a result of reactive gliosis, which cannot be rescued by constitutively activated Kras signaling. Notably, inner limiting membrane (ILM), the basement membrane of the retina, was breached in proteoglycan-deficient retinae prior to the formation of astrocytic network. Herein we propose that cell surface proteoglycans are essential for the initial assembly of ILM, and this cannot be compensated by secreted ECM proteoglycans. In support of this, after removal of ILM in retinal explant by Collagenase digestion, establishment of a new ILM can be achieved by incubation with exogenous laminin-supplemented Matrigel. This basement membrane reconstitution failed, however, in proteoglycan-deficient retinae or in wild type samples digested with a combination of Heparinase and ChABC in addition to Collagenase. Taken together, our study reveals a novel function of neuroretinal cell surface proteoglycans in the initial assembly of basement membrane which subsequently serves as a permissive substratum necessary for astrocyte migration.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Biochemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Biochemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

As proteínas são importantes componentes da matriz extracelular da polpa dentária e possuem diferentes funções nos tecidos. A literatura odontológica não relata como os proteoglicanos se distribuem e agem na matriz extracelular de dentes decíduos durante o processo fisiológico de rizólise. Foi objetivo do trabalho analisar as expressões dos proteoglicanos biglican e decorin e relacioná-las com as diversas fases do processo de rizólise. Para isso foram utilizados dentes decíduos humanos extraídos e livres de lesões de cárie, apresentando vários estágios de reabsorção radicular, divididos em três grupos: com dois terços ou mais do comprimento radicular médio, um terço ou mais do comprimento radicular médio e menos de um terço do comprimento radicular médio. Foi utilizada a técnica da imunoistoquímica, com o método da estreptavidina-biotina-peroxidase, e anticorpos contra as proteínas anteriormente citadas. Os resultados mostraram que os proteoglicanos estudados apresentaram imunorreatividade na matriz extracelular da polpa e da dentina dos dentes nas três fases de reabsorção. Foi possível concluir que houve diferença na distribuição e no padrão de expressão dos proteoglicanos biglican e decorin apenas na área de reabsorção, nos dentes decíduos hígidos nas três fases de rizólise o que sugere um papel regulador destes proteoglicanos no processo de reabsorção fisiológica nos dentes decíduos hígidos. / Proteins are important components in pulp extracellular matrix and perform several different roles in the body tissues. The distribution and functions of some proteins have already been described but there aren?t studies showing how the proteoglycans are distributed and act in the extracellular matrix of deciduous teeth at the physiological resorption process. The aim of the present work was to study the expression and distribution of the following non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix: biglycan and decorin in deciduous teeth dental tissues at the physiological root resorption. Hygid human deciduous teeth that were extracted for orthodontic reasons were grouped together according to root length: group I - two thirds or more of average length root, group II - one third or more of average length root and group III ? less than one third of average length root. The streptavidin-biotinperoxidase method of immunohistochemistry was used with antibodies against the antigens previously quoted. The results showed that the proteoglycans had been found in pulp and dentin extracellular matrix in all groups. In conclusion, biglycan and decorin were differentially found only in the resorption area, between tissues in resorption process and its adjacent zone, which make us believe that these proteoglycans act regulating the physiological resorption process in hygid deciduous teeth.

As proteínas são importantes componentes da matriz extracelular da polpa dentária e possuem diferentes funções nos tecidos. A literatura odontológica não relata como os proteoglicanos se distribuem e agem na matriz extracelular de dentes decíduos durante o processo fisiológico de rizólise. Foi objetivo do trabalho analisar as expressões dos proteoglicanos biglican e decorin e relacioná-las com as diversas fases do processo de rizólise. Para isso foram utilizados dentes decíduos humanos extraídos e livres de lesões de cárie, apresentando vários estágios de reabsorção radicular, divididos em três grupos: com dois terços ou mais do comprimento radicular médio, um terço ou mais do comprimento radicular médio e menos de um terço do comprimento radicular médio. Foi utilizada a técnica da imunoistoquímica, com o método da estreptavidina-biotina-peroxidase, e anticorpos contra as proteínas anteriormente citadas. Os resultados mostraram que os proteoglicanos estudados apresentaram imunorreatividade na matriz extracelular da polpa e da dentina dos dentes nas três fases de reabsorção. Foi possível concluir que houve diferença na distribuição e no padrão de expressão dos proteoglicanos biglican e decorin apenas na área de reabsorção, nos dentes decíduos hígidos nas três fases de rizólise o que sugere um papel regulador destes proteoglicanos no processo de reabsorção fisiológica nos dentes decíduos hígidos. / Proteins are important components in pulp extracellular matrix and perform several different roles in the body tissues. The distribution and functions of some proteins have already been described but there aren?t studies showing how the proteoglycans are distributed and act in the extracellular matrix of deciduous teeth at the physiological resorption process. The aim of the present work was to study the expression and distribution of the following non-collagenous components of the extracellular matrix: biglycan and decorin in deciduous teeth dental tissues at the physiological root resorption. Hygid human deciduous teeth that were extracted for orthodontic reasons were grouped together according to root length: group I - two thirds or more of average length root, group II - one third or more of average length root and group III ? less than one third of average length root. The streptavidin-biotinperoxidase method of immunohistochemistry was used with antibodies against the antigens previously quoted. The results showed that the proteoglycans had been found in pulp and dentin extracellular matrix in all groups. In conclusion, biglycan and decorin were differentially found only in the resorption area, between tissues in resorption process and its adjacent zone, which make us believe that these proteoglycans act regulating the physiological resorption process in hygid deciduous teeth.