Peripheral giant cell granuloma. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the nature of multinucleated and mononuclear cells from peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG).


METHODS
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of 40 cases of PGCG were immunohistochemically stained for vimentin, alpha I-antichymotrypsin, CD68, S-100 protein, lysozyme, leucocyte common antigen (LCA), factor VIII-related antigen and muscle cell actin. Six cases of PGCG were also studied by transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Vimentin, alpha I-antichymotrypsin and CD68 were expressed in both the mononuclear and multinucleated giant cells. Dendritic mononuclear cells, positive for S-100 protein, were noted in 67.5% of the lesions, whereas lysozyme and leucocyte common antigen were detected in occasional mononuclear cells. Ultrastructural examination showed mononuclear cells with signs of phagocytosis and sometimes interdigitations with similar cells. Others presented non-specific characteristics and the third type exhibited cytoplasmic processes and occasional Birbeck granules. Some multinucleated giant cells showed oval nuclei, abundant mitochondria and granular endoplasmic reticulum whereas others presented with irregular nuclei and a great number of cytoplasmic vacuoles.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural results suggest that PGCGs of the jaws are composed mainly of cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system and that Langerhans cells are present in two thirds of the lesions.
Carvalho
Y R
YR
Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, State University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Loyola
A M
AM
Gomez
R S
RS
Araújo
V C
VC
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D006101:Granuloma, Giant Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007801:Langerhans Cells; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis; D010586:Phagocytes; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin / Q000032:analysis; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D000199:Actins; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D009113:Muramidase; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule