Quantification of immune and inflammatory response cells and beta-defensin-3 (hBD-3) expression in radicular cysts of primary and permanent teeth

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To quantify mast cells, mature and immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, mature and immature Tregs, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes, and hBD-3 expression in radicular cysts of primary and permanent teeth and to evaluate the relationship between radiographic lesion size and the intensity of hBD-3 staining. Material and Methods 19 radicular cysts of primary teeth and 17 of permanent teeth were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for quantification of immune and inflammatory response cells and for evaluation of hBD-3 and its relationship with the radiographic lesion size. The results were analyzed using D'Agostino & Pearson, Mann–Whitney, t-test, Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's post-test, at 5% significance level. Results All the evaluated cell types were detected in all radicular cysts. Cysts of primary teeth showed higher expression of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (mature and immature), B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes (p < 0.05), whereas those in permanent teeth showed higher expression of T lymphocytes, immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes (p < 0.05). hBD-3 was expressed in primary teeth similarly in the capsule and epithelium (p > 0.05), whereas in permanent teeth the expression was higher in the capsule (p < 0.05). In primary teeth, hBD-3 expression in small lesions was higher than in large lesions (p < 0.05). Conclusion Immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells were the predominant cells in radicular cysts in primary teeth whereas T lymphocytes were more abundant in permanent teeth. hBD-3 was expressed in the epithelium/capsule in both primary and permanent teeth. In primary teeth, a direct relationship was observed between hBD-3 expression and radicular cyst size. Clinical Relevance The present study should provide a better understanding of radicular cysts, which would be useful for devising targeted treatment techniques and immunologically active materials for endodontic use.