Common Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP-8, -9, -25, and -26) Cannot Explain Dentigerous Cyst Expansion.
OBJECTIVE
Mechanisms of the dentigerous cyst formation from the normal eruption follicle is unknown but disturbances in the proteolytic activity have been suspected, since the growth of these cysts is accompanied by local bone destruction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in human dental dentigerous cysts and healthy dental follicles.


METHODS
We studied 10 patients with dentigerous cysts and 10 healthy dental follicles from the lower jaw in respect to their immunoexpression of MMPs -8, -9, -25, and -26 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -1 (TIMP-1).


RESULTS
MMP-8 was expressed slightly more in cyst epithelium than in odontogenic epithelium of healthy controls dental follicle but the difference lacked statistical difference. Other MMPs and TIMP-1 did not differ regarding the studied specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in MMP expression cannot solely explain the cyst expansion suggesting the potential involvement of other osteolytic mechanisms.
Faculty, Department of Cell Biology of Oral Diseases, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital , Finland .
Juho
J
Suojanen
Faculty, Department of Cell Biology of Oral Diseases, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital , Finland .
Niko
N
Lehtonen
Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital , Finland .
Esa
E
Färkkilä
Faculty, Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki , Finland and HUSLAB .
Jarkko
J
Hietanen
Faculty, Department of Cell Biology of Oral Diseases, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital , Finland .
Olli
O
Teronen
Faculty, Department of Cell Biology of Oral Diseases, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland and Division of Periodontology, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet , Huddinge, Sweden .
Timo
T
Sorsa
Faculty, Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland and HUSLAB and Department of Pathology, at the Haartman Institute and HUSLAB, Helsinki University Central Hospital , Finland .
Jaana
J
Hagström
Dental follicle; Dentigerous cyst; Matrix metalloproteinase; Mmp; Third molars; Timp-1; Wisdom tooth