Figure 2. Immunolocalization of vβ3 integrin and osteoadherin in human dental pulp. (a) An intense membrane staining was observed with the anti-vβ3 integrin antibody in mature odontoblasts (Od) of the pulp horn, including processes in dentin tubules (arrows). (b) Some blood vessels (BV) were also heavily stained, whereas others were not. Isolated cells in the blood vessel wall were also positive (arrow). (c) In the same tooth section, vβ3 integrin staining decreased progressively in the apical direction and became moderate in cervical odontoblasts. (d) In newly differentiated odontoblasts of the forming root, the staining was weak and less intense than in blood vessels. (e) A third molar with a mild caries lesion (C) was used for vβ3 staining. The black box indicates the localization of Figs. 2f and 2g. (f) Odontoblasts aligned at the pulp periphery or included in the reactionary dentin matrix (RD) were stained with the anti-vβ3 integrin antibody. (g) Blood vessels and small rounded cells scattered in the tissue (arrow) were also stained. (h) Osteoadherin was immunodetected in pulp horn odontoblasts, including processes in dentin tubules (arrows). No other cell type was stained. (i) Newly differentiated odontoblasts in the forming root were heavily stained. Osteoadherin was also detected in predentin (Pd). D: dentin. P: pulp. Bars: 50 µm.