Immunohistochemical correlation between microvessel density and lymphoid infiltrate in radicular cysts.
OBJECTIVE
Radicular cysts occur as a result of the immunological response to continuous antigenic stimulation from root canals. We correlated the immunophenotypical composition of the lymphoid infiltrate to the microvessel density expressed by the count of CD34 reactive endothelial cells in radicular cysts.


METHODS
Thirty-four cases of radicular cysts were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against B- and T-cell antigens (CD20, CD3, CD4, CD8) and against the endothelial cell marker CD34. Statistical analysis was performed.


RESULTS
In the epithelium, we observed a low amount of lymphoid infiltrate in all 34 radicular cysts, and a strong significant negative correlation between T and B lymphocytes and between T-helper and T-cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes. In the cyst capsule, we observed a significant positive correlation between B and T lymphocytes, B and T-cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes, T and T-helper lymphocytes and between the number of CD34+ blood vessels and T and T-helper lymphocytes, respectively. We observed a statistically significant correlation between percentage of CD34+ vessels and inflammatory infiltrate grade.


CONCLUSIONS
Both humoral and cellular immune reactions and neovascularization are likely to occur in the complex events of tissue destruction. The inflammatory infiltrate has an important role in neoangiogenesis and consequently in radicular cysts development and growth.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Pathologic Anatomy and Histopathology, Polytechnic University of the Marche/United Hospitals, Torrette (Ancona), Italy.
A
A
Zizzi
S D
SD
Aspriello
L
L
Ferrante
D
D
Stramazzotti
G
G
Colella
P
P
Balercia
L
L
Lo Muzio
M
M
Piemontese
G
G
Goteri
C
C
Rubini
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000032:analysis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000473:pathology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000473:pathology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D018951:Antigens, CD20; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens