The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in synovial tissues in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial tissue taken from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with internal derangement (ID) and discuss the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of ID.


METHODS
Through the use of an immunohistochemical technique, 39 TMJs in 37 patients were examined. As controls, synovial tissue specimens from 6 joints in 6 patients with habitual dislocation were also examined.


RESULTS
In the synovial tissue from 35 of the patients with ID, expression of VEGF was observed in the synovial lining cells, in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels, and in the fibroblasts. In contrast, expression of VEGF was found in the TMJ tissue from only 2 of the controls. The percentage of VEGF-positive cells in the ID specimens was significantly higher than that in the habitual dislocation specimens (P < .02), and the expression of VEGF significantly correlated with the arthroscopic synovitis score (P = .004).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the expression of VEGF is upregulated and involved in the development of inflammatory changes in synovial tissues in TMJs with ID.
Sato
Jun
J
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University, Japan. jun-s@kanazawa-med.ac.jp
Segami
Natsuki
N
Suzuki
Toshikazu
T
Kaneyama
Keiseki
K
Yoshitake
Yoshino
Y
Nishikawa
Katsuzo
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors