GLYCOPROTEINS EXPRESSION IN APICAL PATHOLOGICAL TISSUES - CLINICAL INCIDENCES

Indirect immunofluorescence was used for the localization of the prima ry collagens, fibronectin and laminin. Specimens were extracted from u ntreated teeth with periapical lesions from patients 20 to 30 years of age. An histological examination enabled the differentiation of granu lomas and cysts, and 5 trm sections were used for the indirect immunof luorescence procedure. Antibodies against Type I, Type III, and Type V collagen and for fibronectin and laminin were obtained from glycoprot eins of human cells. The antibody against Type IV collagen was prepare d from Type IV collagen of beef retina. All the glycoproteins investig ated were expressed in apical lesions. The intensity of the immunostai ning appeared more positive at the external area compared with the cen ter of the lesion. The type IV collagen was specific for the basement membrane of cysts. The immunofluorescence reactions of fibronectin and of laminin were similar in intensity in both granulomas and cysts.