Estrogen receptors in human pulp tissue.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha in human pulp tissue.


METHODS
Tissue samples were collected from 51 teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons or from endodontically treated teeth. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with mouse antihuman ER-alpha 1D5 by using the alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase technique. Immunohistochemical reactivity was semiquantitatively assessed and graded on an intensity scale of 0 to 3.


RESULTS
ERs were found in odontoblasts, endothelial cells, and Schwann cells. By means of statistical analysis, ERs were found to be common in odontoblasts (1.3-1.6) and in endothelial cells (1.0-1.4), whereas in Schwann cells they were somewhat rare (0.7-1.1). Difference in expression of ERs was not found among patients in different age groups. With respect to sex, a difference in reactivity was observed in Schwann cells, which showed higher reactivity in female pulps.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study confirm the expression of ER-alpha in the human dental pulp.
Jukić
Silvana
S
Department of Endodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva, Croatia. silvanakrmk@yahoo.com
Prpić-Mehicić
Goranka
G
Talan-Hranilovć
Jasna
J
Miletić
Ivana
I
Segović
Sanja
S
Anić
Ivica
I
D000328:Adult; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen