Collagenase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-13) is a
metalloproteinase (
MMP) that is associated with bone lesions and exhibits variable expression patterns in
odontogenic cysts; it may play a role in regulating focal proliferation and maturation of
jaw cyst epithelium. We studied the localization, staining intensity and distribution of
collagenase-3 in 13
periapical granulomas with epithelium, 16
periapical granulomas without epithelium and 10
radicular cysts using archived
formalin fixed,
paraffin embedded tissues. A
monoclonal antibody against human
collagenase-3 was used to evaluate its expression. Immunohistochemical staining intensities of
collagenase-3 in all periapical lesions were (-), 4 (10%); (+), 1 (3%); (++), 22 (56%) and (+++), 12 (31%); differences were not statistically significant. Immunohistochemical distribution of
collagenase-3 in epithelial cells was (-), 17 (44%); (+), 17 (44%); (++), 5 (13%); in fibroblasts it was (-), 8 (20%); (+), 23 (59%); (++), 8 (21%); in plasma cells it was (-), 7 (18%); (+), 22 (56%); (++), 10 (26%); in macrophages it was (-), 7 (18%); (+), and 15 (38%); and (++), 17 (44%). Statistically significant differences were found in epithelial cells (p = 0.00) and fibroblasts (p = 0.02), whereas differences were not statistically significant for plasma cells and macrophages.
Collagenase-3 may play a role in the conversion of a
periapical granuloma with epithelium to
radicular cyst.
MMP's influence not only epithelial rest cell migration, but also invasion of various stromal cells into granulomatous tissue.