Estrogen receptors in human pulp tissue

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-α in human pulp tissue. Study Design. Tissue samples were collected from 51 teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons or from endodontically treated teeth. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with mouse antihuman ER-α 1D5 by using the alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase technique. Immunohistochemical reactivity was semiquantitatively assessed and graded on an intensity scale of 0 to 3. Results. ERs were found in odontoblasts, endothelial cells, and Schwann cells. By means of statistical analysis, ERs were found to be common in odontoblasts (1.3-1.6) and in endothelial cells (1.0-1.4), whereas in Schwann cells they were somewhat rare (0.7-1.1). Difference in expression of ERs was not found among patients in different age groups. With respect to sex, a difference in reactivity was observed in Schwann cells, which showed higher reactivity in female pulps. Conclusion. The results of this study confirm the expression of ER-α in the human dental pulp. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2003;95:340-4)