Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 in chronic periodontitis.

The extracellular matrix is a complex integrated system responsible for the physiologic properties of connective tissue. Collagen is the major extracellular component that is altered in pathologic conditions, mainly periodontitis. The destruction involves proteolytic enzymes, primarily matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play a key role in mediating and regulating the connective tissue destruction in periodontitis. The study group included 40 patients with clinically diagnosed chronic periodontitis. The control group included 20 patients with clinically normal gingiva covering impacted third molars undergoing extraction or in areas where crown-lengthening procedures were performed. MMP-13 expression was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry in all the gingival biopsies, and the data were analyzed statistically. MMP-13 expression was observed more in chronic periodontitis when compared with normal gingiva. MMP-13 expression was expressed by fibroblasts, lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and basal cells of the sulcular epithelium. Comparative evaluation of all the clinical and histologic parameters with MMP-13 expression showed high statistical significance with Spearman correlation coefficient. Elevated levels of MMP-13 may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. There is a direct correlation of increased expression of MMP-13 with various clinical and histologic parameters in disease severity.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the mandible: case report and review of literature.

Desmoplastic fibroma is a rare benign and locally aggressive myo fibroblastic tumour, frequently seen in the second or third decades of life. The mandible and the maxilla are infrequently involved, and the mandible is the most commonly affected of the facial bones. Nevertheless, reports of desmoplastic fibroma affecting the mandible are scarce in the literature. This article reports a rare case of desmoplastic fibroma affecting the angle of the mandible in a 10-year-old Indian male. In addition, a review of literature relating to desmoplastic fibroma affecting the angle of the mandible is presented.

Heterogenecity of fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts are a major stromal cell type present in human connective tissue maintaining the structural integrity in health. Depending on the situation, location and various conditions, fibroblasts exhibit considerable variation in morphology, size and shape that suggest the existence of discrete cellular subsets. The purpose of this short communication is to provide information regarding the heterogenecity of fibroblasts and its variability in physiological and pathological conditions.

Oral lichen planus in childhood: A rare case report.

Oral lichen planus is a cell-mediated immune condition and is infrequently encountered in children, with a prevalence of about 0.03 percent in childhood. Reports of oral lichen planus affecting children are scarce in the literature. The purpose of this article is to present a rare case of oral lichen planus affecting a seven-year-old child without concomitant cutaneous lesions. Intraoral lesions and associated mild discomfort treated with topical corticosteroid therapy and a plaque control regime resulted in a favorable result.