Mast cells in periapical lesions: potential role in their pathogenesis

Abstract

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 257–262 Objective: The aim of this study was to qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyze mast cells in periapical lesions. Materials and methods: Biopsy specimens of 96 periapical lesions were stained with hematoxylin–eosin, histochemical Giemsa and immunohistochemical CD 117 (C kit) antibody. Mast cell count below 100 mast cells on 1000 fields of high power magnification was noted as ‘negative’, 101–400 as ‘mild’, 401–800 cells as ‘moderate’, and over 800 cells as ‘severe’. Results: Mast cells are found in 68 (70.8%) lesions. The presence of mast cells was greater in cysts than in granulomas (P < 0.0028). There was no difference in semi-quantitative expression of CD 117 in granulomas and cysts (P > 0.05). Mast cells were placed in both: inflammatory infiltrate and in fibroblastic areas of periapical lesions, and their presence was most frequently mild to moderate. Conclusions: The findings of present study could suggest a role of mast cells in regulation of cellular immune mechanisms in periapical lesions, balancing between alterative and reparatory processes in inflamed periapical tissue.