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Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Drug‐Induced Gingival Overgrowth
Author(s) -
Uzel M. Ilhan,
Kantarci Alpdogan,
Hong HsiangHsi,
Uygur Cem,
Sheff Michael C.,
Firatli Erhan,
Trackman Philip C.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2001.72.7.921
Subject(s) - ctgf , connective tissue , growth factor , cd31 , immunostaining , staining , pathology , immunohistochemistry , medicine , receptor
Background: Drug‐induced gingival overgrowth is a known side effect of certain chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of systemic disorders. The pathogenesis and mechanisms responsible for this condition are not fully understood. This study assesses for the presence and localization of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in drug‐induced gingival overgrowth tissues. CTGF immunostaining was compared with sections stained with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and CD31 antibodies in order to investigate possible pathogenic mechanisms. Methods: Gingival overgrowth samples were obtained from patients undergoing therapy with phenytoin (n = 9), nifedipine (n = 4), cyclosporin A (n = 5), and control tissues from systemically healthy donors (n = 9). Tissue sections were subjected to peroxidase immunohistochemistry and were stained with CTGF and TGF‐β1 polyclonal primary antibodies. Possible relationships between CTGF staining and angiogenesis were also studied using an anti‐CD31 antibody as a marker for endothelial cells. Staining was analyzed by computerassisted quantitative and semiquantitative methodology at 5 defined sites in all samples based on the location of specific landmarks including epithelium and underlying connective tissues. Results: Cellular and extracellular CTGF content in phenytoin gingival overgrowth tissues was significantly ( P <0.05) higher compared to the other gingival overgrowth tissues and the controls. Higher CTGF staining in phenytoin gingival overgrowth tissues was accompanied by an increased abundance of fibroblasts and connective tissue fibers. No strong association of CTGF staining with TGF‐β1 or CD31 staining was found. Conclusions: The data from the present study show significantly higher CTGF staining in phenytoin‐induced gingival overgrowth tissues compared to controls, cyclosporin A‐, or nifedipine‐induced gingival overgrowth. Moreover, semiquantitative analyses of histologic samples support the concept that the phenytoin overgrowth tissues are fibrotic. These associations suggest a possible role for CTGF in promoting development of fibrotic lesions in phenytoin‐induced gingival overgrowth. J Periodontol 2001;72:921‐931.