Korean J Dermatol.  1999 May;37(5):592-597.

An Immunohistochemical Studcy of Estrogen-receptors and Progesterone-receptors Expression in Pyogenic Granuloma

• Cho CG
• Kim AR
• Oh CH
• Kim IH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic granuloma(PG) is a common lesion of the skin and mucous membranes. The gingival lesion developed during pregnancy termed epulis gravidarum is identical to PG. Many articles have appeared in the literature pertaining to this lesion and its putative relationship to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Several clinical features such as association with oral contraceptive use and regression after delivery, suggest that PG may be a hormone-sensitive lesion.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine whether estrogen or progesterone might affect the development of PG.
METHODS
We performed immunohistochemical staining by using a monoclonal antibodies to estrogen receptor(ER) and progesterone receptor(PR) in 15 PG(pregnant women; 4 cases, non-pregnant women; 5 cases, and men; 6 cases).
RESULTS
All 15 PGs were negative for ER. However, for PR, the degree of staining was different according to the patient group; pregnant women(3 cases[75%]: weak positive, 1 case[25%]: strong positive), non-pregnant women(3 cases[60%]: weak positive), and men(6 cases[100%]: negative).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that estrogen or progesterone may not directly involve in the formation of these lesions. Further studies are needed to determine whether the other factors are related to the pathogenesis of PG.

Keyword

Pyogenic granuloma; Estrogen receptor; Progesteron receptor; mmunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Estrogens
Female
Gingival Diseases
Granuloma, Pyogenic*
Humans
Male
Mucous Membrane
Pregnancy
Progesterone
Skin
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Estrogens
Progesterone