Immunoexpression of Angiogenesis, Nitric Oxide Synthase, and Proliferation Markers in Gingival Samples of Patients With Aggressive and Chronic Periodontitis

• Published in: Journal of periodontology (1970) 2010-05, Vol.81 (5), p.718-726
• Main Authors: Artese, Luciano, Piattelli, Adriano, de Gouveia Cardoso, Luciana Aparecida, Ferrari, Daniel S., Onuma, Tatiana, Piccirilli, Marcelo, Faveri, Marcelo, Perrotti, Vittoria, Simon, Maciej, Shibli, Jamil Awad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aggressive periodontitis; Aggressive Periodontitis - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Cell Proliferation; chronic periodontitis; Chronic Periodontitis - pathology; Dentistry; Endothelial Cells - pathology; endothelial growth factor; Endothelium, Vascular - pathology; Epithelial Attachment - blood supply; Epithelial Attachment - pathology; Epithelium - blood supply; Epithelium - pathology; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Factor VIII - analysis; Female; Gingiva - blood supply; Gingiva - pathology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Ki-67 Antigen - analysis; Male; Medical sciences; Microvessels - pathology; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Physiologic - physiology; Nitric Oxide Synthase - analysis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I - analysis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III - analysis; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Periodontium - pathology; vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - analysis; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-3492; 1943-3670
• DOI: 10.1902/jop.2010.090524

Background: In periodontal tissues, angiogenesis seems to be important for the maintenance of healthy tissues and in periodontal diseases. Angiogenesis is regulated through a complex interplay of molecular signals mediated by growth factors involving extracellular matrix remodeling, endothelial cell migration and proliferation, capillary differentiation and anastomosis. However, the influence of angiogenesis in the development, progression, and healing of periodontal lesions is currently under investigation. This immunohistochemical study evaluates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), microvessel density (MVD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 1 and 3, and Ki‐67 in gingival tissues of patients with aggressive and chronic periodontitis. Methods: Twenty‐seven human gingival biopsies were taken from patients with chronic periodontitis (n = 14 patients), generalized aggressive periodontitis (n = 6 patients), and healthy periodontia (n = 7 patients). The specimens were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF, MVD, NOS 1 and 3, and Ki‐67. Results: The levels of VEGF, MVD, NOS 1 and 3, and Ki‐67 were found to be significantly different among groups (P >0.001). Patients with aggressive periodontitis had higher levels of these markers compared to those in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy patients. Conclusions: The analysis demonstrates a higher expression of all immunologic markers particularly in subjects with aggressive periodontitis. In summary, the data from this pilot investigation suggests that VEGF is an important factor in the pathogenesis of the aggressive and chronic forms of periodontitis.