title: Endothelial cells of oral pyogenic granulomas express eNOS and CD105/endoglin: an immunohistochemical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common localized hyperplastic lesion of the oral cavity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) and CD105/endoglin in oral PGs, to evaluate their involvement in the angiogenetic pathways of the lesion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three PGs were included in the study. Sixteen tumors were further sub-classified as pregnancy tumors (PT) and seventeen as pyogenic granulomas with fibrosis (PGFM). Immunohistochemical expression of eNOS and CD105/endoglin was quantified by computerized image analysis with a semi-automated system. Percentage of staining and number of objects (positive vessels) were recorded for each case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intense eNOS expression was seen in 92 of 93 lesions. A statistically significant association was found between eNOS percentage of staining/eNOS positive vascular spaces (objects) and age of the patients (9% increase per decade of life). Approximately 40% less eNOS positive objects were recorded in PGFM compared with PGs. Intense membranous CD105/endoglin expression was seen in all cases. The percentage of CD105/endoglin staining was statistically increased in PGs compared with PT. Approximately 40% less CD105/endoglin objects were found in PGFM compared with PGs; 56% more CD105/endoglin objects were found in tongue lesions, compared with gingival lesions. There was no statistically significant correlation considering percentage of staining and number of objects between CD105/endoglin and eNOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that eNOS and CD105/endoglin are involved in the angiogenetic pathways of PG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Dental School, National and Kapodestrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. spvas@dent.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Spyridon I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Vassilopoulos
authors.forename: Konstantinos I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Tosios
authors.forename: Vassilios G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Panis
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vrotsos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000071063:Endoglin; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017789:Granuloma, Pyogenic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III