IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF METALLOPROTEINASES AND TFN-Α BY MACROPHAGES AND LANGERHANS CELLS IN RADICULAR CYSTS

Abstract

Objectives This research aimed to evaluate the relationship between Langerhans cells, macrophages, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs-9, -13), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the lining epithelium of cystic lesions to elucidate the cyst expansion. Study Design A sectional and retrospective study was performed with 20 radicular cysts (RCs) and 20 residual radicular cysts (RRCs) by anti-CD68, anti-CD1a, anti-MMP-9, anti-MMP-13, and anti-TNF-α antibodies. Results The immunoexpression of MMP-13 and CD68 was significantly higher in RCs when compared to RRCs (P = .011 and P = .012, respectively). An intense inflammatory infiltrate was significantly correlated with CD68 immunoexpression in RCs (P = .025). Macrophages demonstrated a significant positive correlation with MMP-13 (P = .015). A moderate correlation was observed between MMP-9 and MMP-13 (P = .01). TNF-α expression was more common in RCs (P = .001). Langerhans cells were more frequently expressed in atrophic epithelium (P = .041) and significantly correlated with TNF-α (P = .014) in RCs. Conclusions Macrophages induce a greater release of TNF-α. Higher immunoexpression of MMP-13 and MMP-9 is observed in the early stages of RCs compared to RRCs. The microorganisms are the main factors triggering a proinflammatory immune response and greater cystic expansion in the early stages of these cysts. This research aimed to evaluate the relationship between Langerhans cells, macrophages, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs-9, -13), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the lining epithelium of cystic lesions to elucidate the cyst expansion. A sectional and retrospective study was performed with 20 radicular cysts (RCs) and 20 residual radicular cysts (RRCs) by anti-CD68, anti-CD1a, anti-MMP-9, anti-MMP-13, and anti-TNF-α antibodies. The immunoexpression of MMP-13 and CD68 was significantly higher in RCs when compared to RRCs (P = .011 and P = .012, respectively). An intense inflammatory infiltrate was significantly correlated with CD68 immunoexpression in RCs (P = .025). Macrophages demonstrated a significant positive correlation with MMP-13 (P = .015). A moderate correlation was observed between MMP-9 and MMP-13 (P = .01). TNF-α expression was more common in RCs (P = .001). Langerhans cells were more frequently expressed in atrophic epithelium (P = .041) and significantly correlated with TNF-α (P = .014) in RCs. Macrophages induce a greater release of TNF-α. Higher immunoexpression of MMP-13 and MMP-9 is observed in the early stages of RCs compared to RRCs. The microorganisms are the main factors triggering a proinflammatory immune response and greater cystic expansion in the early stages of these cysts.