RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferation activity by means of the quantification of the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and the patterns of expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in ameloblastomas. METHOD: The methods of evaluation included the H/E stain for the morphologic analysis, the silver impregnation technique for quantification of the AgNORs and the immunohistochemical stain with anti-EGFR antibody in 11 cases of ameloblastoma. RESULTS: The results did not show a significant statistical difference as per quantification of the AgNORs. The expression of the EGFR on the epithelial islands of ameloblastoma was not uniform, and the location of the expression was also variable. The predominant expression was that of cytoplasm and the islands with an expression of membrane only were rare and generally smaller in size. CONCLUSION: The tumor presents an irregular growth. Smaller islands are associated with a higher proliferation activity and therefore could be responsible for tumor infiltration.
Assuntos
Ameloblastoma/química , Antígenos Nucleares/análise , Receptores ErbB/análise , Neoplasias Maxilomandibulares/química , Proteínas de Neoplasias/análise , Proteínas Nucleares/análise , Humanos , Coloração e RotulagemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To analyze and quantify the CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte populations in inflammatory hyperplasia and to establish the relationship between the frequency and location of these cells and Candida infection. METHODS: Samples of inflammatory hyperplasia were stained with PAS for evidence of Candida sp. and were classified in two groups, infected and control, according to the presence or absence of infection. After immunoreaction with specific anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies, the distribution and frequency of the positive cells were analyzed in 41 cases (19 controls without Candida sp. and 22 infected cases). Lymphocytes were quantified in the three consecutive fields where the inflammatory infiltration was concentrated. RESULTS: There was no relationship between the frequency and location of CD4(+) T cells and Candida sp. infection. The number of CD8(+) cells close to the fungi hyphae as well as the total number of CD8(+) T cells present in inflammatory hyperplasia were higher in the Candida sp. group than in the control noninfected group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Since the CD8(+) T cells were distributed according to the location of Candida sp. hyphae, and since a higher CD8(+)/total lymphocytes ratio was observed in the infected group, we suggest a role for CD8(+) T cells in the defense against Candida in oral infections associated with inflammatory hyperplasia in immunocompetent individuals.