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Immunohistochemical Expression Of Matrix Metalloprotease-2 And Matrix Metalloprotease-9 In The Disks Of Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Karina Caporal, Viviane Ambros, Marina Azevedo, Lucia Noronha, Rosy Leonardi, Paula C. Trevilatto

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are tissue-remodeling enzymes that function during the remodeling process, such as in immune-inflammatory diseases. Metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) and metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) are gelatinases that degrade several types of extracellular matrix collagen. It is hypothesized that in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels may be elevated. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the association of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression with temporomandibular joint dysfunction using an immunohistochemical approach to evaluate the joint disk.

Material and Methods

A total of 45 human temporomandibular joint samples were collected, with 36 samples in the test group (patients …

Adamts-4 And Adamts-5 Expression In Human Temporomandibular Joint Discs With Internal Derangement, Correlates With Degeneration, Rosalia Leonardi, Salvatore Crimi, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Giuseppe Pannone, Giuseppe Musumeci, Sergio Castorina, Mugurel Constantin Rusu, Carla Loreto

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement (ID) is one of the most common form of temporomandibular disorders. There is evidence showing the increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the cells from degenerated TMJ disc. ADAMTS are a large family of metalloproteases which are responsible for proteoglycans degradation. The present study aimed to evaluate ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 immunohistochemical expression in human TMJ discs from patients affected by ID, and to find out if there is any correlation with the degree of histopathological changes. Eighteen temporomandibular displaced disc specimens and sixteen TMJ disc control were used for the present study. Specimens were …