Expression of β-defensin 4 on Temporomandibular Joint Discs with Anterior Displacement without Reduction

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

12-2013

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery

Source ISSN

1010-5182

Abstract

Objectives

β-defensin-4 is a member of antimicrobial peptides (APs) of the immunity system. This molecule has antimicrobial activity but it seems to be involved in articular inflammatory processes too, as it happens during osteoarthritic disease (OA). Considering the possible relation existing between (OA) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD), the aim of our study was to evaluate immunohistochemically the presence of β- defensin-4 in pathological temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs affected by internal derangement without reduction (ADDwoR).

Design

Eighteen TMJ-displaced disc specimens were considered in this study and were analysed by immunohistochemical evaluation. They were compared with a control sample of sixteen healthy discs and two scores, intensity of staining (IS) and extent score (ES) were estimated.

Results

Findings of our analysis showed a significant difference between control and study sample (P < 0.001). IS and ES of control sample and pathological sample were 1 and 4 respectively.

Conclusion

Our results confirmed the presence of β-defensin-4 in human TMJ discs affected by ADDwoR, hypothesing a possible role of this molecule in articular bone disruption.

Comments

Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Vol. 41, No. 8 (December 2013): 821-825. DOI.

Luis Eduardo Almeida was affiliated with Center for Health and Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil at the time of publicaiton.

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