Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta1 in chronic periapical lesions

Objective: Proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) in periapical pathosis and to determine their relationship to the size of the lesions. Study Design: One tooth from each of 25 patients was root-end resected, and the periapical lesion was collected. The amounts of TNF-α and TGF-β1 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: TGF-β1 was detected in 21 of 25 lesions. In samples with scar tissue, no TGF-β1 activity was detected. A statistically significant correlation was found between TGF-β1 per milligram of tissue and the diameter of the lesions. TNF-α was detected in only 2 samples. Conclusions: TGF-β1 was present in periapical granulomas and cysts but not in lesions with scar tissue. The correlation between the amount of TGF-β1 per milligram of tissue and the size of the lesion was significant.(Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000;90:514-7)