Histomorphometric characteristics and expression of epidermal growth factor and its receptor by epithelial cells of normal gingiva and hereditary gingival fibromatosis

• Published in: Journal of periodontal research Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 237 - 241
• Main Authors: Araujo, C. S. A., Graner, E., Almeida, O. P., Sauk, J. J., Coletta, R. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2003; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Count; Cell Division - physiology; Cell Membrane - ultrastructure; Coloring Agents; Cytoplasm - ultrastructure; Dentistry; Ent. Stomatology; epidermal growth factor; Epidermal Growth Factor - analysis; epidermal growth factor receptor; Epithelial Cells - pathology; ErbB Receptors - analysis; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Female; Fibromatosis, Gingival - genetics; Fibromatosis, Gingival - pathology; Gingiva - cytology; hereditary gingival fibromatosis; histomorphometry; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen - analysis; proliferation; Statistics, Nonparametric; Pseudotumor; Human; Healthy subject; Stomatology; Cytokine; Characteristic; Exploration; Receiver; Hereditary; Fibromatosis; Pathology; Periodontal disease; Epidermal growth factor; Histopathology; Polypeptide; Benign neoplasm; Gingiva; Morphometry; Growth factor
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0765.2003.00013.x
• ISSN: 0022-3484

Objective:  The objective of this study was to examine the histomorphometric features and evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transmembranic receptor (EGFr) and the proliferative potential of epithelial cells from normal and hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) gingival tissues. Background:  EGF is a multifunctional cytokine with a variety of biological effects including stimulation of cell proliferation by binding to its specific EGFr. Methods:  Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure EGF and EGFr expression and the epithelial cell proliferation was determined by measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results:  Histomorphometric evaluation indicated that in HGF the mean height of the epithelial papillae was higher compared to the normal gingiva (NG), whereas mean epithelial area and number of epithelial papillae were quite similar in both groups. The EGF and EGFr positive cells were observed in the basal, spinous and granular cell layers of both normal and HGF tissues, with a gradual reduction from the basal layer. Although the expressions of EGF and EGFr in the control group were significantly higher than those from HGF, in HGF the epithelial papilla tips showed increased number of proliferating cells and elevated expression of EGF and EGFr. There was a correlation between the proliferative potential of epithelial cells and the expression of EGF or EGFr only in the epithelial papilla tips of HGF gingiva. Conclusion:  Our data suggest that EGF and EGFr in the oral epithelium of HGF gingiva may stimulate epithelial cell proliferation, with the resultant apical migration of the oral epithelium and formation of the slender deep epithelial papillae; however, without hyperplastic alterations.