Differential proliferation of fibroblasts cultured from hereditary gingival fibromatosis and normal gingiva

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is an oral condition characterized by the enlargement of the gingiva of both the maxilla and mandible. To study the cell proliferation index of fibroblasts from HGF and normal gingiva (NG), cell cultures from 4 members of the same family with HGF and from 4 healthy patients were established. Our results obtained from 6 different cell proliferation assays clearly showed that the cell proliferation rate was significantly higher in fibroblasts from HGF than from normal gingiva. HGF and control fibroblasts in subconfluent culture densities were typically spindle, but in saturation density HGF cells were shorter than control cells. These data suggest that the higher proliferative index of HGF fibroblasts possibly has a role in the pathogenesis of gingival outgrowth in HGF patients.     

Proliferation of fibroblasts cultured from normal gingiva and hereditary gingival fibromatosis is dependent on fatty acid synthase activity

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is the enzyme that synthesizes palmitate from malonyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA. Recent studies have shown that FAS is overexpressed in human cancers and that its activity is necessary for cell proliferation. Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a genetic disease manifested as a progressive enlargement of the gingiva. The pathogenesis of this condition is not understood; however, a proliferative advantage of HGF fibroblasts in comparison with cells from normal gingiva (NG) has been described. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FAS in NG and HGF fibroblast proliferation. METHODS: NG and HGF fibroblasts had their proliferative potential assessed by automated cell counting and immunocytochemistry against Ki-67 or proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The production of FAS, androgen receptor (AR), and ErbB2 was analyzed by Western blot and the pattern of FAS expression studied by immunocytochemistry. FAS activity was blocked by the specific inhibitor cerulenin. RESULTS: Higher proliferation rates were found in fibroblasts isolated from HGF than from NG. HGF fibroblasts with greater proliferative potential produced more FAS and AR than the cell lines with lower growth rates, and all studied cell lines produced similar amounts of the ErbB2 protein. In addition, the FAS inhibitor cerulenin was able to significantly reduce the proliferation of both NG and HGF cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that FAS is expressed by gingival fibroblasts and that highly proliferative HGF cells produced more FAS and AR than the other fibroblast cell lines. Moreover, FAS inhibition significantly reduced both NG and HGF fibroblast growth, suggesting a role for the androgen-driven fatty acid biosynthesis in their proliferation.     

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

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.     

Effects of enamel matrix derivative and transforming growth factor-beta1 on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of enamel matrix derivative (EMD), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and a combination of both factors (EMD+TGF-beta1) on periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human PDL fibroblasts were obtained from three adult patients with a clinically healthy periodontium, using the explant technique. The effects of EMD, TGF-beta1, or a combination of both were analysed on PDL cell proliferation, adhesion, wound healing, and total protein synthesis, and on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone-like nodule formation. RESULTS: Treatment with EMD for 4, 7, and 10 days increased cell proliferation significantly compared with the negative control (p<0.05). At day 10, EMD and EMD+TGF-beta1 showed a higher cell proliferation compared with TGF-beta1 (p<0.01). Cell adhesion was significantly up-regulated by TGF-beta1 compared with EMD and EMD+TGF-beta1 (p<0.01). EMD enhanced in vitro wound healing of PDL cells compared with the other treatments. Total protein synthesis was significantly increased in PDL cells cultured with EMD compared with PDL cells treated with TGF-beta1 or EMD+TGF-beta1 (p<0.05). EMD induced ALP activity in PDL fibroblasts, which was associated with an increase of bone-like nodules. CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that EMD and TGF-beta1 may play an important role in periodontal regeneration. EMD induced PDL fibroblast proliferation and migration, total protein synthesis, ALP activity, and mineralization, while TGF-beta1 increased cellular adhesion. However, the combination of both factors did not positively alter PDL fibroblast behaviour.     

Analysis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, interleukin-10, IL-6, and interferon-gamma gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Cytokine gene polymorphisms may have an impact on the susceptibility to and progression of chronic periodontitis. In this study, we analyzed the -1082 interleukin-10 (IL-10), -308 tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) (codons 10 and 25), -174IL-6, and +874 interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a cohort of patients with chronic periodontal disease. METHODS: The diagnosis was made on the basis of standardized clinical and radiographic criteria. A total of 122 adult patients with chronic periodontitis and 114 unrelated, ethnically and age-matched white control subjects were genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer. RESULTS: The number of individuals carrying the -174IL-6 CC genotype was significantly higher in the group of patients than in the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.896; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.106 to 3.250; P = 0.0283). The TGF-beta1 (codon 25) GG (Arg(25)/Arg(25)) genotype was detected more frequently in control subjects than in periodontitis patients (OR = 0.459; 95% CI = 0.230 to 0.920; P = 0.0421). CONCLUSION: The -174IL-6 and TGF-beta1 (codon 25) single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in the population studied.     

In vitro expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and transforming growth factor-beta1 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Extracellular matrix remodelling is mediated via matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their regulatory factors such as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The regulation of MMPs is thought to be associated with cytoskeletal changes. In this study, cytoskeletal changes in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDFs) were induced using cytochalasin B (CB) which reorganizes actin microfilaments reversibly, and colchicine which disrupts microtubules irreversibly. The levels of MMP-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-beta secreted by the CB- or colchicine-treated PDFs were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Differences between experimental and control groups were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffé's ad hoc test. Although CB treatment did not significantly increase MMP-1 expression over the controls, colchicine treatment significantly increased the expression of MMP-1 (P < 0.01) in a time-dependent manner compared with the controls. Both CB and colchicine showed a time-dependent increase in TIMP-1 and TGF-beta1 expression and a dose-dependent increase in TIMP-1 and TGF-beta1 expression until threshold compared with the controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). In addition, CB treatment produced significantly increased TGF-beta1 expression over the controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001) from lower doses, with this effect occurring at earlier time points compared with colchicine treatment.     

Gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta 3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 during membranous bone healing in rats

A number of growth factors have been implicated in fracture repair. Transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-beta 3) is believed to be involved in osteoblast proliferation, chemotaxis, and collagen synthesis. The collagens act as the scaffolding for new bone matrix formation, whereas tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may help regulate matrix remodeling in bone repair. Despite their hypothesized integral role in fracture repair, the temporal expression of these molecules in membranous bone fracture healing remains unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the temporal pattern of TGF-beta 3 and TIMP type 1 (TIMP-1) expression in rat mandibular fracture healing. Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a mandibular osteotomy, and the healing regenerate was harvested on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 9, 23, and 37. Total cellular ribonucleic acid was isolated, and Northern analysis was performed. TGF-beta 3 expression was downregulated dramatically 3 days after the osteotomy and remained less than 20% of control levels throughout repair. In marked contrast, TIMP-1 gene expression, low during early repair, increased more than twofold over control at later time points. Understanding the temporal pattern of gene expression during membranous fracture healing has important clinical implications because elucidating these mechanisms may lead to appropriate biomolecular approaches to augment membranous bone fracture healing.     

Gingival fibroblasts grown from cyclosporin-treated patients show a reduced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) compared with normal gingival fibroblasts, and cyclosporin down-regulates the production of MMP-1 stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth arises from an alteration in collagen homeostasis and is enhanced by inflammatory changes in the gingival tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction among interleukin-1, oncostatin M, cyclosporin and nifedipine in promoting the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase by gingival fibroblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fibroblast cultures (n = 5) were obtained from healthy controls and from patients with cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth, and cells were harvested between the fourth and ninth passages. Cells were stimulated with interleukin-1 and oncostatin M, alone or in combination, and with different concentrations of cyclosporin (0-2000 ng/mL) and nifedipine (0-200 ng/mL). MMP-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 production was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A CyQuant cell proliferation assay was used to determine the DNA concentration in the sample. RESULTS: Fibroblasts obtained from patients with cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth produced significantly lower levels of MMP-1 than control fibroblasts (p < 0.001); tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05), and the ratio of MMP-1 to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 was reduced, in the conditioned medium of patients with cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth compared with controls. Interleukin-1 and oncostatin M produced a significant increase in the up-regulation of MMP-1, which was reversed when cyclosporin and nifedipine were added to the cell cultures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pro-inflammatory cytokines significantly up-regulate MMP-1 in cultured gingival fibroblasts. Up-regulation is attenuated by both cyclosporin and nifedipine. The interaction may account for the synergism between inflammation and cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth.     

Induction of the myofibroblastic phenotype in human gingival fibroblasts by transforming growth factor-beta1: role of RhoA-ROCK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myofibroblastic differentiation is an important event in gingival wound healing and chronic inflammation. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) is a potent growth factor that has been implicated in this process. Gingival myofibroblasts have an increased ability to remodel the extracellular matrix and this feature has been associated with changes in the distribution of F-actin and the expression of the myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin. In the present study we have analyzed the role of TGF-beta1 and the signaling routes activated by this factor in the cytoskeletal changes that characterize the myofibroblastic differentiation process in human gingival fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The signalling pathways involved in myofibroblastic differentiation were studied in primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts using several signal transduction inhibitors. RhoA activation was analyzed through a pull-down assay. Distribution of focal adhesions and actin cytoskeleton was assessed by means of immunofluorescence and western blot. A cell adhesion assay was performed in TGF-beta1-stimulated cells. Smooth muscle actin expression was studied through western blot and immunofluorescence. c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation was assessed through western blot. RESULTS: Our observations show that TGF-beta1 activated the GTPase RhoA, a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. As a consequence of this event, this growth factor stimulated the generation of actin stress fibers and the reinforcement of vinculin-enriched focal adhesions. These responses were blocked after inhibiting ROCK, the main target of RhoA activation. TGF-beta1 also stimulated the adhesion of fibroblasts over fibronectin, an extracellular matrix molecule involved in myofibroblastic differentiation. Finally, induction of the myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin by TGF-beta1 was abolished by the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase inhibitor SP600125, suggesting a role for this signaling pathway during the induction of this phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that TGF-beta1 may promote the differentiation of myofibroblasts through the stimulation of cell spreading and adhesion, the reinforcement of focal adhesions, the maturation of the actin cytoskeleton, and the induction of alpha-smooth muscle actin. Activity of RhoA-ROCK and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase signaling pathways are probably involved in these cellular events.     

正畸应力变化下牙龈组织α-SMA、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原变化及龈沟液MMP-2、TIMP-2的表达

目的: 探讨正畸应力变化下牙龈组织α平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）、Ⅰ型及Ⅲ型胶原变化以及龈沟液基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）、金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子2（TIMP-2）的表达。方法: 选取南昌大学附属口腔医院2018年4月—2019年4月收治的正畸患者74例,随机分为A组（24例,0 g力）、B组（25例,75 g力）、C组（25例,150 g力）3组。于加力0、4周采集患者部分牙龈组织,采用免疫组织化学染色法检测α-SMA、Ⅰ型及Ⅲ型胶原表达水平。在加力后0、2、4周收集龈沟液,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测MMP-2、TIMP-2表达水平。采用Spearman相关性分析不同正畸应力与α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、MMP-2、TIMP-2表达水平的相关性。采用SPSS 19.0软件包对数据进行统计分析。结果: 加力2周及加力4周,3组患者龈沟液MMP-2、TIMP-2表达水平依次升高（P<0.05）;加力4周后,3组患者牙龈组织中α-SMA、Ⅰ型及Ⅲ型胶原水平依次升高（P<0.05）;不同正畸应力与MMP-2、TIMP-2、α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原及Ⅲ型胶原表达水平均呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论: 龈沟液TIMP-2、MMP-2表达水平以及肌成纤维细胞表达与正畸应力变化有关,可能在正畸治疗的牙周组织改建中发挥重要作用。     

Post-treatment effects of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid transforming growth factor-beta1 in severe, generalized chronic periodontitis

Abstract: Objective: Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of 3‐month adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGF‐β₁) levels in chronic periodontitis patients over 12 months. Methods: Thirty‐five patients with severe, generalized periodontitis participated in the present randomized, placebo‐controlled study. Patients received scaling and root planing (SRP) plus 3 months adjunctive SDD or placebo. Clinical measurements and GCF sampling were performed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Eleven periodontally healthy subjects served as controls for GCF TGF‐β₁ analysis. Results: Clinical parameters of both SDD and placebo groups significantly improved during the study (P < 0.0125). SDD group exhibited significantly higher PD reduction at deep sites (baseline PD ≥7 mm) compared with placebo group at 6 months (P < 0.05). In SDD group significantly higher percentage of deep pockets resolved (PD reduction ≥3 mm from baseline) when compared with placebo group at 6 and 9 months (73.4% versus 49.7%; 79.9% versus 50.6%, respectively, P < 0.05). PD reduction ≥4 mm for deep pockets from baseline was also greater in SDD group than placebo at 6 months (53.4% versus 36.3%, P < 0.05). GCF TGF‐β₁ levels of SDD group was significantly higher than baseline (P < 0.0125) and placebo group (P < 0.017) at 3 months. Conclusions: These results ensure further data for beneficial effects of adjunctive SDD therapy in the management of severe chronic periodontitis.