Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor–2 Expression in the Pulp of Human Primary and Young Permanent Teeth

Grando Mattuella, Leticia; de Figueiredo, José Antonio Poli; Nör, Jacques E.; de Araujo, Fernando Borba; Fossati, Anna Christina Medeiros

doi:10.1016/j.joen.2007.08.019

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Volume 33, Issue 12 , Pages 1408-1412, December 2007

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor–2 Expression in the Pulp of Human Primary and Young Permanent Teeth

Leticia Grando Mattuella, DDS, MSc
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Address requests for reprints to Dra Letícia Grando Mattuella, Rua Roque Calage, 566/201, 91350-090 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
José Antonio Poli de Figueiredo, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Eastman Dental Institute and University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Jacques E. Nör, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fernando Borba de Araujo, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Anna Christina Medeiros Fossati, DDS, MSc, PhD
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

published online 16 October 2007.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor–2 (VEGFR-2) in endothelial cells within the dental pulp of human primary and young permanent teeth and the spatial distribution of VEGFR-2–positive cells. Nine sound primary teeth and 4 sound young permanent teeth were evaluated by immunohistochemistry with a human anti–VEGFR-2 antibody. Stained tissue sections were analyzed qualitatively under light microscopy. Here we observed that endothelial cells of both primary and permanent teeth showed positive immunostaining for VEGFR-2. Notably, VEGFR-2–positive cells in the primary teeth tended to be found close to the subodontoblastic layer, whereas the spatial distribution of VEGFR-2 immunostaining in the permanent teeth was more uniform. In conclusion, VEGFR-2 was expressed in the microvascular endothelial cells of both primary and young permanent teeth, which suggests that these cells are capable of responding to the morphogenetic and survival signals mediated by VEGF.

Key Words: Angiogenesis, dental pulp, growth factor, neovascularization, VEGF