Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells

Cellular phenotype and apoptosis The function of epithelial tissues is protection of the organism from physical, chemical, and microbial damage which is essential for survival. To perform this function, oral epithelial cells undergo a well-regulated differentiation program resulting in the expression of structural proteins that maintain integrity of epithelial tissues and operate as a protective barrier. Oral epithelial cells are connected by various transmembrane proteins with specialised structures and functions. Keratin filaments are attached to the plasma membrane by desmosomes building a three-dimensional matrix. It is known that pathogenic oral bacteria may influence the expression and structural…