Lack of effect of hormonal treatment and smoking on cytokeratin expression in buccal mucosa |
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Authors: | Riitta Leimola-Virtanen Stina Syrjänen Risto-Pekka Happonen Ismo Virtanen Marita Luomanen |
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Institution: | Departments of Oral Pathology and Forensic Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland;Department of Oral Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland;Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Finland |
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Abstract: | Differences in cytokeratin expression of clinically normal buccal mucosa were studied in 50 healthy women by indirect immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies. The subjects were divided into four groups: control group (N= 18), smokers (N=8), oral contraceptive users (N=8) and smokers receiving oral contraceptives (N=16). Our findings indicate that cytokeratin expression in non-cornified stratified epithelium is not influenced by smoking or oestradiol/progesterone treatment. Only cytokeratin No. 19 showed variable patterns of expression but the differences could not be ascribed to smoking or contraceptives. Cytokeratin No. 19 gave a positive reaction in the basal and suprabasal layers in 34 subjects (68%). In 9 (18%) specimens, the staining was positive in the basal cells and showed a positive heterogeneous cytoplasmic reaction in the suprabasal cells. Interestingly, cytokeratin No. 7 was recognized in all epithelial cells except the basal cells. Our results suggest that changes in the serum oestradiol levels do not affect the cytokeratin pattern in buccal mucosa. |
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Keywords: | buccal mucosa cytoskeletal proteins oral contraceptives smoking |
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