Mast cells in periapical lesions: potential role in their pathogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyze mast cells in periapical lesions.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens of 96 periapical lesions were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, histochemical Giemsa and immunohistochemical CD 117 (C kit) antibody. Mast cell count below 100 mast cells on 1000 fields of high power magnification was noted as 'negative', 101-400 as 'mild', 401-800 cells as 'moderate', and over 800 cells as 'severe'.


RESULTS
Mast cells are found in 68 (70.8%) lesions. The presence of mast cells was greater in cysts than in granulomas (P < 0.0028). There was no difference in semi-quantitative expression of CD 117 in granulomas and cysts (P > 0.05). Mast cells were placed in both: inflammatory infiltrate and in fibroblastic areas of periapical lesions, and their presence was most frequently mild to moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of present study could suggest a role of mast cells in regulation of cellular immune mechanisms in periapical lesions, balancing between alterative and reparatory processes in inflamed periapical tissue.
Drazić
Radojica
R
Clinic of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Stomatology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade. raddraz@sbb.rs
Sopta
Jelena
J
Minić
Arsa J
AJ
D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000502:physiology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D004396:Coloring Agents; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit