Epithelial Papillae (epithelial + papilla)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Histomorphometric characteristics and expression of epidermal growth factor and its receptor by epithelial cells of normal gingiva and hereditary gingival fibromatosis

JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003
C. S. A. Araujo
Objective:, The objective of this study was to examine the histomorphometric features and evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transmembranic receptor (EGFr) and the proliferative potential of epithelial cells from normal and hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) gingival tissues. Background:, EGF is a multifunctional cytokine with a variety of biological effects including stimulation of cell proliferation by binding to its specific EGFr. Methods:, Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure EGF and EGFr expression and the epithelial cell proliferation was determined by measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results:, Histomorphometric evaluation indicated that in HGF the mean height of the epithelial papillae was higher compared to the normal gingiva (NG), whereas mean epithelial area and number of epithelial papillae were quite similar in both groups. The EGF and EGFr positive cells were observed in the basal, spinous and granular cell layers of both normal and HGF tissues, with a gradual reduction from the basal layer. Although the expressions of EGF and EGFr in the control group were significantly higher than those from HGF, in HGF the epithelial papilla tips showed increased number of proliferating cells and elevated expression of EGF and EGFr. There was a correlation between the proliferative potential of epithelial cells and the expression of EGF or EGFr only in the epithelial papilla tips of HGF gingiva. Conclusion:, Our data suggest that EGF and EGFr in the oral epithelium of HGF gingiva may stimulate epithelial cell proliferation, with the resultant apical migration of the oral epithelium and formation of the slender deep epithelial papillae; however, without hyperplastic alterations. [source]


Quantitative analysis of epithelial papillae in patients with oral lichen planus

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
P López-Jornet
Abstract Background, The oral mucosa is relatively vulnerable to pathological processes, and is often affected by autoimmune and malignant diseases. The oral epithelium is normally non-homogeneous, and joins to the connective tissue through interlocking of its downward projections in the form of papillae. Objective, This study aims to conduct a histomorphometric study of the epithelial papillae in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). Material and method, This study was based on 100 cheek mucosa biopsies from patients with OLP (66 white reticular and 34 atrophic-erosive) (13 males and 87 females, with a mean age of 54.95 ± 13.64 years). A histological and morphometric evaluation was made, based on imaging analysis with MIP software 4.5 for studying the papillary structure in the patients with OLP. Results, The mean epithelial thickness was 227.5 ± 78.5 µm. The different papillary measures , BLS (distance from basal layer to epithelial surface), DPS (distance from dermal papilla top to epithelial surface), DPW (dermal papilla width), and DPD (interdermal papilla distance between two papillae) , yielded no statistically significant differences with respect to age, sex, smoking and clinical form. However, a significant correlation was observed in relation to papilla width and inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.031). Conclusions, The application of this imaging system is useful for measuring variations in epithelial papillary architecture. Conflicts of interest None declared. [source]