Systemic leukocyte activation in patients with central giant cell lesions

Background: Central giant cell lesion (CGCL) is a reactive lesion of the jaws with an associated inflammatory infiltrate. Since cell circulation allows for intense communication between different compartments in the body, we investigated whether the CGCL would lead to phenotypic and/or functional changes in circulating leukocytes. Methods: We obtained lymphocytes and monocytes from CGCL patients and control subjects, to evaluate cytokine and adhesion molecule expression using flow cytometry. Results: Our results revealed that CD4+ T cells and CD14+ monocytes from CGCL express elevated levels of CD11a and CD11b, respectively, when compared with controls. The frequencies of CD4+ T cells expressing interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and the frequencies of CD4+ and CD14+ cells expressing interleukin (IL)‐10 were increased in CGCL group, when compared with controls. Conclusions: Our data indicate that, although CGCL is a localized lesion, the patients show systemic functional alterations in circulating leukocytes, suggesting their role in the inflammatory pathogenesis of CGCL.