A histopathological and lectin-histochemical study of the lining epithelium in postoperative maxillary cysts.
OBJECTIVE
Histopathological and lectin-histochemical characteristics were studied in the lining epithelium of postoperative maxillary cysts (POMC).


METHODS
Histological (HE, PAS, AB), immunohistochemical (CD3 and L26) and lectin (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA; Ulex europaeus agglutinin I, UEA-I; concanavalin A, ConA) stainings were performed in the 360 POMC specimens. The number of goblet cells and inflammatory cells was counted and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
The lining epithelium was classified into three types based on histopathological characteristics; pseudostratified ciliated epithelium (pSCE), transitional epithelium (TE) and stratified squamous epithelium (SSE). Local infiltration of inflammatory cells into the cyst wall was associated with an increased number of goblet cells in the lining epithelium. The observed association between the infiltration of inflammatory cells and an increase in the number of goblet cells was statistically significant in groups with lining pSCE and TE. Glycoconjugate histochemical analysis revealed that the surfaces of the lining epithelium with squamous metaplasia showed an increased degree of staining reactivity with UEA-I, whereas the staining reactivity with ConA was reduced. Goblet cells were able to be stained with WGA and UEA-I, but showed extremely low reactivity with ConA.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the glycoconjugate expression of the metaplastic lining epithelium and goblet cell development play an important role in the local defense mechanisms against inflammatory factors in POMC.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000423:Alcian Blue; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003208:Concanavalin A; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000473:pathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins
D004396:Coloring Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D000423:Alcian Blue