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Published on: August 4, 2023
Expression and immunohistochemical localization of leptin receptor in human periapical granuloma
J Martín-González1, A Carmona-Fernández2, A Pérez-Pérez2
1Department of Stomatology (Endodontics Section), School of Dentistry, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
Aim:
To investigate the expression and immunohistochemical localization of leptin receptor (LEPR) in human periapical granulomas.
Methodology:
Periapical inflammatory lesions were obtained from extracted human teeth and teeth which underwent periapical surgery. After their histopathological categorization as periapical granulomas (n = 20), they were examined by immunohistochemistry using human LEPR monoclonal antibodies. LEPR mRNA expression was also determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and the amount of LEPR protein was analysed by immunoblot.
Results:
All granuloma samples expressed LEPR. Amongst inflammatory cells, only macrophages showed expression of LEPR. Western blot analysis revealed the presence in the samples of a protein with apparent molecular weight of ~120 kDa, corresponding to the estimated molecular weight of LEPR. The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of LEPR mRNA, corresponding the size of the amplified fragment (338 bp), assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis, to that of LEPR mRNA.
Conclusions:
Human periapical granulomas express LEPR. In periapical granulomas, only macrophages showed expression of LEPR. This finding suggests that leptin can play a role in inflammatory and immune periapical responses.
