Myofibroblasts and transforming growth factor-beta1 in reactive gingival overgrowths.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life of patients treated with implant-supported mandibular overdentures and to compare the attachment systems used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The presence of myofibroblasts as well as transforming growth factor-beta1 was examined in twenty cases of fibrous epulis and 22 ossifying fibrous epulis, using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Myofibroblasts positive for alpha smooth muscle actin and vimentin but negative to desmin were found in 20% and 45% in fibrous epulis and ossifying fibrous epulis, respectively. Myofibroblasts were distributed in areas with and without inflammatory infiltration and their presence in inflammatory areas was not related with the degree of inflammatory infiltration. A percentage of 21 - 60% of fibroblasts and chronic inflammatory cells expressed transforming growth factor-beta1 in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that transforming growth factor-beta1 and myofibroblasts contribute to the formation of collagenous connective tissue in fibrous epulis and ossifying fibrous epulis. Myofibroblasts are mainly presented in ossifying fibrous epulis than in fibrous epulis. It seems to be no relationship between the presence of myofibroblasts and the degree of inflammatory infiltration of the lesions.

Central odontogenic fibroma: report of case with immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of central odontogenic fibroma (COF) with immunohistochemical study. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We describe a case of epithelium-rich type of COF in the posterior region of the mandible of a 39-year-old woman. Immunohistochemical examination showed the odontogenic epithelium to be positive for high-molecular-weight cytokeratins, vimentin and CD99, and negative for CAM5.2. The stroma contained some myofibroblasts and many fibroblast-like cells positive for CD99. CONCLUSION: Our immunohistochemical findings, and especially the positive expression of vimentin from the epithelial cells of COF suggests that these cells are primordial. Last but not least, the presence of a relative small number of myofibroblasts in the stroma justifies the non-aggressive behavior of the neoplasm and supports that a part of stromal collagen of COF is produced by these cells.

Tenascin-C in chronic sclerosing sialadenitis.

Tenascin-C is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in certain chronic inflammatory/sclerosing conditions. This study was undertaken to expand our understanding of the processes involved in fibrosis that occurs in chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (CSS) by investigating the distribution of tenascin-C. Fifteen specimens of CSS with varying degrees of fibrosis and five normal submandibular glands were retrospectively examined immunohistochemically for the distribution of TNC. Linear deposition of TNC was found around collecting ducts in normal glands and around collecting ducts without surrounding fibrotic tissue in CSS; percentage incidences were not statistically different. In contrast, broader, band-like deposition of TNC was found in the fibrous tissue around collecting ducts in CSS with widespread degree of fibrosis compared to little or no fibrosis; the percentage incidence was statistically different. In addition, deposition of TNC was found around duct-like structures and extremely atrophic acini but, interestingly, however, was not found in fibrotic interlobular septa. The results of this investigation suggest that TNC is likely involved in the fibrosis that occurs around collecting ducts in CSS.

Pyogenic granuloma of the oral cavity: comparative study of its clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features.

There are two histological types of pyogenic granuloma (PG) of the oral cavity: the lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH) and non-LCH type. The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the clinical features, etiological factors, diameter of vascular elements and immunohistochemical features of LCH and non-LCH histological types of PG to determine whether they are two distinct entities. Thirty cases of LCH and 26 cases of non-LCH PG were retrieved and retrospectively studied. Clinically, LCH PG occurred more frequently (66.4%) as sessile lesion whereas non-LCH PG occurred as pedunculated (77%). Non-LCH PG was associated more frequently (86.4%) with etiological factors. The lobular area of the LCH PG contained a greater number of blood vessels with small luminal diameter than did the central area of non-LCH PG. In the central area of non-LCH PG a significantly greater number of vessels with perivascular mesenchymal cells non-reactive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin was present than in the lobular area of LCH PG. The differences found in the present study suggest that the two histological types of PG represent distinct entities.