Immunoexpression of α2-integrin and Hsp47 in hereditary gingival fibromatosis and gingival fibromatosis-associated dental abnormalities

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of the α2-integrin subunit and heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47) in two families with isolated gingival fibromatosis (GF) form and one family with GF associated with dental abnormalities and normal gingiva (NG). Study Design: Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies against α2-integrin and Hsp47 in specimens from two unrelated families with hereditary gingival fibromatosis (Families 1 and 2) and from one family with a gingival fibromatosis-associated dental abnormality (Family 3); NG samples were used for comparison. The results were analysed statistically. Results: Immunoreactivity for α2-integrin and Hsp47 was observed in the nucleus of epithelial cells of both the basal and suprabasal layer and a more discreet signal was noted in connective tissue in all study samples. Hsp47 showed higher immunoreactivity in Family 2 compared with the other families (p≤0.05). Despite the markup α2-integrin was higher in Family 3 there was no statistically significant difference between the families studied (p≥0.05). Conclusions: Our results confirmed the heterogeneity of GF, such that similar patterns of expression of the condition may show differences in the expression of proteins such as Hsp47. Although no difference in α2-integrin expression was observed between GF and NG groups, future studies are necessary to determine the exact role of this protein in the various forms of GF and whether it contributes to GF pathogenesis. Key words:Gingival fibromatosis, integrin alpha2, heat shock protein Hsp47.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis: Clinical and ultrastructural features of a new family

“…Histopathological aspects observed in this study showed gingival tissues with a well-structured epithelium with elongated and thin papillae inserted into deep fibrous connective tissue with collagen fiber bundles running in all directions. These microscopic findings are similar to those observed previously in other families ( 15 , 16 ). Ultrastructural aspects revealed collagen fibrils presenting loops at their edges and loss of packing along with an apparent tortuous pattern of organization and dissociation of them.…”

Assessment of Apical Expression of Alpha-2 Integrin, Heat Shock Protein, and Proinflammatory and Immunoregulatory Cytokines in Response to Endodontic Infection

“…In this regard, this study investigated ITGA2 and Hsp47 gene expression in active lesions and 7 days after root canal cleaning because several periapical cellular processes involve cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions (12). Integrins are critical components of the cell attachment machinery.…”

“…They are characteristically induced by stress signals such as elevated temperature, infectious agents, and inflammatory mediators participating in the folding and translocation of polypeptides across the cell membrane (11). Hsp47 is the major collagen-binding heat-inducible glycoprotein expressed in fibroblasts (12).…”