title: Immunoexpression of MMP-9, VEGF, and vWF in central and peripheral giant cell lesions of the jaws.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central giant cell lesion (CGCL) and peripheral giant cell lesion (PGCL) are pathological conditions of the jaws that share the same microscopic features, but differ clinically in terms of their behavior. Our aim was to compare the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in CGCL and PGCL, relating them to the angiogenic index.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty CGCL and 20 PGCL were selected for analysis of the immunoexpression of MMP-9 and VEGF in multinucleated giant cells (MGC) and mononucleated cells (MC). Angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-von Willebrand factor antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CGCL showed slightly higher expression of MMP-9 than PGCL. In comparison with PGCL, the CGCL showed higher expression of VEGF both in MC (P < 0.05) and in total cells (P < 0.05). PGCL exhibited higher MVC than CGCL (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-9 and VEGF might play an important role in the osteoclastogenesis process in CGCL. The higher MVC in PGCL might be related to the reactive nature of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: Cassiano F W
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: Márcia C da C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Miguel
authors.forename: Hébel C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Galvão
authors.forename: Lélia B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Roseana de A
authors.initials: Rde A
authors.lastname: Freitas
mesh_terms: D019070:Cell Lineage; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006101:Granuloma, Giant Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D055806:Microvessels; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010010:Osteoclasts; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9