Markers for macrophage and osteoclast lineages in giant cell lesions of the oral cavity.
OBJECTIVE
Giant cell lesions of the oral cavity are a well recognized entity. However, the histogenesis of these lesions is still the subject of controversy, with support for both histiocyte/macrophage and osteoclast origins being found in the literature. This study evaluated a set of peripheral giant cell lesions (PGCLs) and central giant cell lesions (CGCLs) for characteristics of both cell types to address this dilemma.


METHODS
Detection of histiocyte/macrophage characteristics was accomplished immunohistochemically by evaluating for markers specific for this cell type, namely alpha-1 -antichymotrypsin (1 -ACT) and factor XIIIa antibodies. Detection of osteoclast characteristics made use of the fact that osteoclasts possess a unique enzyme, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, which can be appreciated by histochemical procedures.


RESULTS
A large percentage of the multinucleated cells stained with the 1-ACT (38.08% in PGCLs and 15.84% in CGCLs), while only isolated cells stained for factor XIIIa (1.20% PGCLs, 0.99% CGCLs). Isolated stromal cells also were stained. Virtually all multinucleated cells reacted with the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase stain (99.26% PGCLs, 98.34% CGCLs), as did a number of the mononuclear stromal cells.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the contention that GCLs of the oral cavity may arise from precursor cells related to the granulocyte/macrophage line, and may originate from mononuclear cells that express markers for both macrophages and osteoclasts.
Tiffee
J C
JC
Department of Oral Medicine/Pathology, University of Pittsburgh--School of Dental Medicine, PA 15261, USA.
Aufdemorte
T B
TB
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D019070:Cell Lineage; D003029:Coagulants / Q000032:analysis; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000473:pathology*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006101:Granuloma, Giant Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000473:pathology*; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003029:Coagulants; D007527:Isoenzymes; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; D011503:Transglutaminases; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase