Expression of interleukin-17F in human apical periodontitis lesions

Abstract

To examine the expression of interleukin-17F (IL-17F) in apical periodontitis lesions. Human apical periodontitis lesions were collected after periapical surgery from November 1, 2009 to August 1, 2011. After histological processing, serial sectioning, HE staining, and microscopic analysis, 33 periapical cysts and 18 periapical granulomas were selected for immunohistochemical analysis for IL-17F. Five alveolar bone samples were obtained from a group of impacted third molars recommended for extraction. These bone samples did not show any inflammation and were used as normal samples. Differences in IL-17F expression between the tissues with periapical cyst and periapica granuloma were subsequently analyzed by rank-sum test. IL-17F was expressed in epithelial cells, lymphocytes, fibroblast and endothelial cells of both types of lesions. Both types of lesions presented increased IL-17F expression when compared to healthy periapical alveolar bone. The expression of IL-17F in apical cyst (0.2365 ± 0.0708) and apical granuloma (0.8852 ± 0.0576) was significantly different (Z = 3.735, P < 0.01). IL-17F could be observed and might be involved in the inflammatory response and bone resorption of periapical tissues. The expression of IL-17F in periapical cyst and periapical granuloma was significantly different.