Angiogenesis And Lymphangiogenesis In Inflamed Human Dental Pulp
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the impact of inflammation, as well as the impact of VEGF on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, in inflamed human dental pulp using monoclonal mouse anti-human antibodies.
Methods: Thirty samples of healthy dental pulps and twenty-seven pulps with irreversible pulpitis were included in this study. All specimens were immunohistochemically stained for: CD34 (react with blood endothelium), D2-40 (react with lymphatic endothelium) and VEGF. Positively stained blood and lymphatic vessels were counted by a light microscopy in an area of 1 mm2. VEGF expression was evaluated semiquantitatively in vascular endothelial, stromal and inflammatory cells, considering cytoplasmic staining intensity and the proportion of positive cells. Staining intensity was graded as weak (+), moderate (++), and strong (+++) staining. The presents of active cells was considered significant if more than 25% cells were found in the area.
Results: The mean number and standard deviation of blood vessels positive for CD34 in the group with inflammation (78.93 ± 25.80) was significantly higher (P< 0.0001) than the mean number in the group without inflammation (50.40 ± 9.34). The mean number and standard deviation of lymphatic vessels positive for D2-40 in the group with inflammation (8.04 ± 2.8) was significantly higher (P< 0.0001) than the mean number in the group without inflammation (3.93 ± 1.11). VEGF expression was found in 10 samples of irreversibly inflamed and 8 samples of healthy dental pulps.
Conclusion: The study established an increased number of blood and lymphatic vessels in the inflamed human dental pulp, which suggests that inflammation contributes angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. VEGF expression and the occurrence of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis did not highly correlate in this study.