Immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor in periapical granulomas, radicular cysts, and residual radicular cysts.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to assess and compare the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in periapical granulomas (PGs), radicular cysts (RCs), and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), relating it to the angiogenic index and the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate.


METHODS
Twenty PGs, 20 RCs, and 10 RRCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-VEGF antibody. Angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-von Willebrand factor antibody.


RESULTS
The PGs and RCs showed higher expression of VEGF than the RRCs. Lesions presenting few inflammatory infiltrate revealed the lowest immunoexpression of VEGF (P < .05). Irrespective of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, most of the RCs and RRCs showed moderate to strong epithelial expression of VEGF. Lesions showing dense inflammatory infiltrate presented higher MVC indices (P < .05). VEGF expression and MVC did not reveal a significant correlation (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF is present in periapical inflammatory lesions but at a lower level in RRCs. The expression of this proangiogenic factor is closely related to the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate in these lesions.
Nonaka
Cassiano Francisco Weege
CF
Oral Pathology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil. hebel.galvao@yahoo.com.br
Maia
Alexandre Pinto
AP
Nascimento
George João Ferreira do
GJ
de Almeida Freitas
Roseana
R
Batista de Souza
Lélia
L
Galvão
Hébel Cavalcanti
HC