IMMUNOISTOKYMIC STUDY OF VEGF AND α-SMA PROTEINS IN RADICULAR AND RESIDUAL CYSTS
myofibroblasts, angiogenesis and inflammatory odontogenic cysts.
Myofibroblasts are cells that express alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and play an important role in physiological and pathological conditions, as well as in organogenesis, repair, regeneration, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Studies involving inflammatory odontogenic lesions reveal that myofibroblasts are related to growth and progression by elasticity restrict in the wall of cysts so controlling their expansion. Other important element in the pathogenesis of inflammatory cysts is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which induces proliferation, differentiation and migration of vascular endothelial cells. In addition, VEGF can instigates extravasation of plasma proteins, accumulates fluid and produces edema, promoting the expansion of cystic lesions. Thus, the present work proposes to evaluate immunohistochemical expression of VEGF and α-SMA in radicular cysts (RC) and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), aiming a better understanding of these periapicopathies’ etiopathogenesis. Thus, 30 RCs and 30 RRCs were selected for immunohistochemical analysis under mentioned biomarkers.