Immunohistochemical detection of Langerhans cells in dental granulomas and radicular cysts.

OBJECTIVE

Dental granulomas (DGs) and radicular cysts (RCs) are chronic periapical lesions frequently involving the jaws. Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells responsible for the presentation of antigens to T lymphocytes. This study examined the expression of LCs in DG and RCs by immunohistochemical staining.

STUDY

DESIGN

Eighteen cases of DGs and 26 cases of RCs were analyzed using anti-CD1a marker.

RESULTS

CD1a-labeled LCs were observed in 11.1% of DGs and in 69.2% of RCs, showing a significant correlation (P < 0.0001; Fisher's test). In DGs, LCs were only observed in granulation tissue, showing discrete immunostaining density. In RCs, LCs exhibited both a round and a dendritic shape in all epithelial layers. Although a correlation was observed between immunostaining density and epithelial thickness, as well as between immunostaining and inflammatory intensity, the differences were not significant in radicular cysts.

CONCLUSION

Langerhans cells provide important insight into the immunopathogenesis of chronic periapical lesions.