Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta1 in chronic periapical lesions.
OBJECTIVE
Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in periapical pathosis and to determine their relationship to the size of the lesions.


METHODS
One tooth from each of 25 patients was root-end resected, and the periapical lesion was collected. The amounts of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta(1) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
TGF-beta(1) was detected in 21 of 25 lesions. In samples with scar tissue, no TGF-beta(1) activity was detected. A statistically significant correlation was found between TGF-beta(1) per milligram of tissue and the diameter of the lesions. TNF-alpha was detected in only 2 samples.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta(1) was present in periapical granulomas and cysts but not in lesions with scar tissue. The correlation between the amount of TGF-beta(1) per milligram of tissue and the size of the lesion was significant.
Danin
J
J
Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden. john.danin@ofa.ki.se
Linder
L E
LE
Lundqvist
G
G
Andersson
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012184:Retrograde Obturation; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha