Shen S Q, Wang R, Huang S G
Faculty of Dentistry, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
Genet Mol Res. 2017 Mar 8;16(1):gmr-16-01-gmr.16019394. doi: 10.4238/gmr16019394.
Stem cell factor (SCF), an important stem cell cytokine, has multiple functions. Fibroblasts (FBs), mature mast cells, endothelial cells (ECs), and eosinophil granulocytes can produce SCF in the inflammatory process. Therefore, we aimed to observe SCF expression in FBs, ECs, and macrophages (MPs) in periapical tissues in human chronic periapical disease and investigate the effects of cells expressing SCF in pathogenesis of the disease. Healthy (N = 20), periapical cyst (N = 15), and periapical granuloma (N = 15) tissues were fixed in 10% formalin for 48 h, embedded in paraffin, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to observe histological changes. SCF expression was observed in FBs, ECs, and MPs in periapical tissues by double immunofluorescence. CD334, CD31, and CD14 are specific markers of FBs, ECs, and MPs, respectively. Results showed that densities of CD334-SCF double-positive FBs, CD31-SCF double-positive ECs, and CD14-SCF double-positive MPs were significantly increased in periapical tissue groups (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in CD334-SCF double-positive FB and CD31-SCF double-positive EC levels between the two periapical tissue groups (P > 0.05). CD14-SCF double-positive MP density was considerably higher in periapical granulomas than in cysts (P < 0.01). FB, EC, and MP levels were significantly high and densities of CD334-SCF double-positive FBs, CD31-SCF double-positive ECs, and CD14-SCF double-positive MPs improved considerably in chronic periapical tissues, suggesting that the cells might be related to occurrence, development, and pathogenesis of chronic periapical disease.
干细胞因子（SCF）是一种重要的干细胞细胞因子，具有多种功能。成纤维细胞（FBs）、成熟肥大细胞、内皮细胞（ECs）和嗜酸性粒细胞在炎症过程中均可产生SCF。因此，我们旨在观察人慢性根尖周病根尖周组织中FBs、ECs和巨噬细胞（MPs）中SCF的表达情况，并研究表达SCF的细胞在该疾病发病机制中的作用。将健康组织（N = 20）、根尖周囊肿组织（N = 15）和根尖周肉芽肿组织（N = 15）用10%福尔马林固定48小时，石蜡包埋，苏木精-伊红染色以观察组织学变化。通过双重免疫荧光观察根尖周组织中FBs、ECs和MPs中SCF的表达。CD334、CD31和CD14分别是FBs、ECs和MPs的特异性标志物。结果显示，根尖周组织组中CD334-SCF双阳性FBs、CD31-SCF双阳性ECs和CD14-SCF双阳性MPs的密度显著增加（P < 0.01）。两个根尖周组织组之间CD334-SCF双阳性FB和CD31-SCF双阳性EC水平无显著差异（P > 0.05）。根尖周肉芽肿中CD14-SCF双阳性MP密度明显高于囊肿（P < 0.01）。慢性根尖周组织中FB、EC和MP水平显著升高，CD334-SCF双阳性FBs、CD31-SCF双阳性ECs和CD14-SCF双阳性MPs的密度显著提高，提示这些细胞可能与慢性根尖周病的发生、发展及发病机制有关。
