Collagenase-3 expression in periapical lesions: an immunohistochemical study

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Biochemistry
• Immunohistochemistry

Background:

• Collagenase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-13) is a metalloproteinase implicated in bone lesions.
• Its expression varies in odontogenic cysts, potentially influencing epithelial proliferation and maturation.
• Understanding collagenase-3's role is crucial for elucidating cyst development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the localization, staining intensity, and distribution of collagenase-3 in periapical lesions and radicular cysts.
• To determine if collagenase-3 expression correlates with the presence of epithelium in periapical granulomas.
• To explore the potential role of collagenase-3 in the transformation of periapical granulomas to radicular cysts.

Main Methods:

• Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 13 periapical granulomas with epithelium, 16 without, and 10 radicular cysts were analyzed.
• Immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against human collagenase-3 was employed.
• Staining intensity and distribution were evaluated in epithelial cells, fibroblasts, plasma cells, and macrophages.

Main Results:

• Collagenase-3 expression was detected in varying intensities across all lesion types, with no statistically significant difference in overall staining intensity.
• Statistically significant differences in collagenase-3 distribution were observed in epithelial cells (p = 0.00) and fibroblasts (p = 0.02).
• No significant differences were found in plasma cells and macrophages.

Conclusions:

• Collagenase-3 expression is significantly different in epithelial cells and fibroblasts within periapical lesions and radicular cysts.
• The enzyme may contribute to epithelial rest cell migration and stromal cell invasion.
• Collagenase-3 potentially plays a role in the conversion of periapical granulomas with epithelium to radicular cysts.