Higher expression of galectin-3 and galectin-9 in periapical granulomas than in radicular cysts and an increased toll-like receptor-2 and toll-like receptor-4 expression are associated with reactivation of periapical inflammation.
BACKGROUND
Cysts and periapical granulomas are inflammatory reactions that develop in response to periapical infection by microbial species in dental root canal. It is known that toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pathogen recognition molecules and that galectins are lectins that can be associated with the inflammatory process, stimulating or inhibiting the immune system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in situ expression of TLRs and galectins in radicular cysts and periapical granulomas.


METHODS
We analyzed 62 cases (30 radicular cysts, 27 periapical granulomas, and 5 control cases). Indirect immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TLRs (TRL-2 and TLR-4) and galectins (Gal-3 and Gal-9).


RESULTS
The expression of Gal-3 and Gal-9 was significantly higher in periapical granulomas and radicular cysts than in the control group. Similarly, both Gal-3 and Gal-9 were expressed significantly more in periapical granulomas than in radicular cysts. The expression of TLR-2 was significantly higher in periapical granulomas and radicular cysts than in the control group, and it was also significantly higher in radicular cysts with sinus tract than in the cases without sinus tract. Furthermore, the expression of TLR-4 was significantly higher in the cases of periapical granulomas with sinus tract than in the cases without sinus tract.


CONCLUSIONS
Gal-3/Gal-9 and TLR-2/TLR-4 expression in the periapical granulomas and radicular cysts is associated with reactive periapical inflammation. Pathobiology of periapical disease is a very complex interplay of many bioactive molecules involved in immunoinflammatory responses. Up-regulation of these bioactive molecules might be an important modulator of inflammatory periapical lesions.
Laboratory of Biopathology and Molecular Biology, University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Rita de Cássia Medeiros
Rde C
de Oliveira
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM/CEFORES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Marcela
M
Beghini
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM/CEFORES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Cláudia Renata Bibiano
CR
Borges
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM/CEFORES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Polyanna Miranda
PM
Alves
Laboratory of Biopathology and Molecular Biology, University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Marcelo Sivieri
MS
de Araújo
Laboratory of Biopathology and Molecular Biology, University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM/CEFORES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Sanívia Aparecida de Lima
SA
Pereira
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM/CEFORES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Virmondes
V
Rodrigues
Laboratory of Biopathology and Molecular Biology, University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM/CEFORES), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: denise.rodrigues@uniube.br.
Denise Bertulucci Rocha
DB
Rodrigues
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001798:Blood Proteins; D003751:Dental Fistula / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000032:analysis*; D037161:Galectins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000032:analysis*
D001798:Blood Proteins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human; C105032:LGALS9 protein, human; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4
Galectins; TLR; radicular cysts and periapical granulomas