Immunoexpression of angiogenesis, nitric oxide synthase, and proliferation markers in gingival samples of patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis.
BACKGROUND
In periodontal tissues, angiogenesis seems to be important for the maintenance of healthy tissues and in periodontal diseases. Angiogenesis is regulated through a complex interplay of molecular signals mediated by growth factors involving extracellular matrix remodeling, endothelial cell migration and proliferation, capillary differentiation and anastomosis. However, the influence of angiogenesis in the development, progression, and healing of periodontal lesions is currently under investigation. This immunohistochemical study evaluates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), microvessel density (MVD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 1 and 3, and Ki-67 in gingival tissues of patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis.


METHODS
Twenty-seven human gingival biopsies were taken from patients with chronic periodontitis (n = 14 patients), generalized aggressive periodontitis (n = 6 patients), and healthy periodontia (n = 7 patients). The specimens were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF, MVD, NOS 1 and 3, and Ki-67.


RESULTS
The levels of VEGF, MVD, NOS 1 and 3, and Ki-67 were found to be significantly different among groups (P >0.001). Patients with aggressive periodontitis had higher levels of these markers compared to those in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis demonstrates a higher expression of all immunologic markers particularly in subjects with aggressive periodontitis. In summary, the data from this pilot investigation suggests that VEGF is an important factor in the pathogenesis of the aggressive and chronic forms of periodontitis.
Artese
Luciano
L
Dental School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
Piattelli
Adriano
A
de Gouveia Cardoso
Luciana Aparecida
LA
Ferrari
Daniel S
DS
Onuma
Tatiana
T
Piccirilli
Marcelo
M
Faveri
Marcelo
M
Perrotti
Vittoria
V
Simion
Maciej
M
Shibli
Jamil Awad
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000032:analysis; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000032:analysis; D010519:Periodontium / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005169:Factor VIII; C496320:NOS1 protein, human; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III