Expression of Cytokeratin in Experimentally Created Inflammatory Cyst in Vivo and in Vitro

The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavior of epithelial lining derived from Malassez's epithelial rest (MER) cells in experimentally created inflammatory cysts in vivo and in vitro. Porcine MER cells were cultured in vitro with or without interleukin (IL)-1β (1 ng/ml) or IL-6 (1 ng/ml). Cell proliferation was assessed and expression levels of CK19 and CK13 mRNA determined using RT-PCR. In vivo, a cavity was created in the first molar of Sprague-Dawley male rats and tissue repair observed using immunohistochemical methods. In vitro, treatment with IL-1β or IL-6 increased proliferation of MER cells and decreased expression of CK19 mRNA, but increased CK13 mRNA at day 1 (p<0.05). In vivo, at 2 weeks, CK19-positive epithelial cells were observed adjacent to the cementum, in the cystic lesion, and in connective tissue. At 3 weeks, they were only detected in cells adjacent to the connective tissue. Cells positive for CK13 were observed throughout the epithelium, except in cells adjacent to connective tissue at weeks 2 and 3. Exposure to IL-1β and/or IL-6 induced proliferation and differentiation of MER cells.