Immunohistochemical Localization of Osteoclastogenic Cell Mediators in Feline Tooth Resorption and Healthy Teeth

Abstract

Tooth resorption is among the most common and most challenging problems in feline dentistry. It is a progressive disease eventually leading to tooth loss and often root replacement. The etiology of tooth resorption remains obscure and to date no effective therapeutic approach is known. The present study is aimed at assessing the reliability of radiographic imaging and addressing the possible involvement of receptor activator of NFκB (RANK), its ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the process of tooth resorption. Teeth from 8 cats were investigated by means of radiographs and paraffin sections followed by immunolabeling. Six cats were diagnosed with tooth resorption based on histopathologic and radiographic findings. Samples were classified according to a four-stage diagnostic system. Radiologic assessment of tooth resorption correlated very strongly with histopathologic findings. Tooth resorption was accompanied by a strong staining with all three antibodies used, especially with anti-RANK and anti-RANKL antibodies. The presence of OPG and RANKL at the resorption site is indicative of repair attempts by fibroblasts and stromal cells. These findings should be extended by further investigations in order to elucidate the pathophysiologic processes underlying tooth resorption that might lead to prophylactic and/or therapeutic measures.

Endodontic Therapy of a Mandibular Canine Tooth with Irreversible Pulpitis Secondary to Dentigerous Cyst

“…[27][28][29][30] Recently, there have been several journal articles that have focused their studies on the relationship of bone homeostasis mediators and their possible role in the ability of dentigerous cysts to cause bone resorption. There are numerous mediators that play an active role in either bone deposition or resorption.…”

“…A complete, thorough discussion on the intricacies of bone homeostasis is beyond the scope of this article and has been discussed in-depth in many textbooks and journal articles. [27][28][29][30] Recently, there have been several journal articles that have focused their studies on the relationship of bone homeostasis mediators and their possible role in the ability of dentigerous cysts to cause bone resorption.…”

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH): What do we know?

“…This appears to be regulated, in part, by signalling molecules in the tumour necrosis family (Ne et al 1999;Darcey and Qualtrough 2013;Nanci 2013). The role of the tumour necrosis family of cytokine-like proteins (RANK, RANKL, osteoprotegrin [OPG]) in the pathogenesis of feline tooth resorption has been previously investigated (Senn et al 2010). In this study, immunohistochemical staining with anti-RANK, anti-RANKL and anti-OPG antibodies at the sites of active tooth resorption was noted.…”