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High Levels of CXC Ligand 12/Stromal Cell–derived Factor 1 in Apical Lesions of Endodontic Origin Associated with Mast Cell Infiltration

2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 39; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.joen.2013.06.020

1878-3554

Franco Cavalla, Montserrat Reyes, Rolando Vernal, Carla Álvarez, Rodolfo Paredes, J García-Sesnich, Magdalena Infante, Valeska Fariña, Ignacio Barrón, Marcela Hernández,

Inflammatory mediators and NSAID effects

Introduction CXC ligand 12/stromal-derived factor-1 (CXCL12/SDF-1) is a pleiotropic chemokine that regulates the influx of a wide range of leukocytes. The aim of this study was to characterize CXCL12/SDF-1 in apical lesions (ALs) of endodontic origin, with special emphasis in associated immune cell populations. Methods In this case-control study, 29 individuals with chronic apical periodontitis and 21 healthy volunteers were enrolled. ALs and healthy periodontal ligament samples were obtained for tissue homogenization, immune Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine CXCL12/SDF-1 forms and levels. Anatomopathologic diagnosis, immunostaining for CXCL12/SDF-1, CD117-CXCL12/SDF-1, and toluidine blue were also performed to identify tissue and cell localization. Finally, a set of tissue samples were digested and analyzed by flow cytometry to identify CXCL12/SDF-1 in different immune cell populations. Data were analyzed with Stata v11 and WinDi 2.9 software, and significance was considered if P < .05. Results CXCL12/SDF-1 was predominantly identified as monomers; levels of CXCL12/SDF-1 were significantly higher in ALs compared with controls, and it was primarily localized to inflammatory infiltrates. Expression of CXCL12/SDF-1 was colocalized to mast cells in tissue sections. Furthermore, CD117+ mast cells were the second most frequent infiltrating cells and the main CXCL12/SDF-1 expressing cells, followed by CD4+ lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Conclusions ALs of endodontic origin demonstrated higher levels of CXCL12/SDF-1 compared with controls. CXCL12/SDF-1 was identified in immune cell populations, whereas mast cells represented the major CXCL12/SDF-1 expressing cells, suggesting that this chemokine might play a central role in apical tissue destruction, most probably inducing persistent recruitment of immune cells, particularly of mast cells.