Apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 in cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth.

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of epithelial thickening in gingival overgrowth remains obscure. Apoptosis plays an important role in maintaining tissue hemostasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate apoptosis via immunohistochemical analyses in cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth tissue samples to determine whether these processes play a role in the pathogenesis of gingival overgrowth.

METHODS

Gingival biopsies (one per person) were harvested from 22 renal transplant recipients (eight men and 14 women; mean age, 36.4 +/- 13.3 years) who had been diagnosed with cyclosporin A-induced gingival enlargement and from 12 systemically healthy persons (seven men and five women; mean age, 27.0 +/- 16.0 years) with plaque-induced gingivitis. Distributions of caspase-3 and apoptosis were determined immunologically.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found with regard to caspase-3 levels and the extent of apoptosis between the cyclosporin A group and the control group. Plaque index, gingival index, and probing depths were significantly lower in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The extent of keratinocyte apoptosis and decreased levels of caspase-3 may be an important factor affecting the gingiva of kidney transplant recipients with cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth.