HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY

Cellular and Molecular Biology

 

Transglutaminase 2 expression is significantly increased in cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth

Sofia Asioli, Alberto Righi, Pietro Cardone, Mario Aimetti, Francesca Maletta, Renato Coda, Stefano Carossa, Roberto Navone and Paola Cassoni

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Turin, Italy.

Offprint requests to: Prof. Paola Cassoni, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Via Santena 7, 10126 Turin, Italy. e-mail: paola.cassoni@unito.it


Summary. Cyclosporine A is a potent immunosuppressant used to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat various autoimmune diseases. However, cyclosporine A can also induce gingival overgrowth, which is characterized by increased extracellular matrix due to an altered balance between collagen synthesis and degradation.
This study proposed to verify whether trans-glutaminase 2, an enzyme thought to be responsible for the assembly and remodelling of extracellular matrix, plays any role in the pathogenesis of cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowth.
Cyclosporine A-induced gingival overgrowths were collected from 21 liver transplant patients and case-controlled with 20 non-hyperplastic gingival biopsies from healthy patients who had previous periodontal treatment. In both groups, the presence and tissue distribution of transglutaminase 2 were determined by immunohistochemistry and analyzed in comparison with the tissue morphology and expression of lymphocyte-related antigens (CD3 and CD20) and a vessel-related marker (CD34).
Transglutaminase 2 expression showed a significant increase (2.6-fold) in the stromal component of cyclosporine A-treated patients compared with controls (p<0.001), which suggested that transglutaminase 2 had a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Further studies should investigate the therapeutic effect of anti-transglutaminase 2 drugs (putrescine or 1,4-diamino-butane) in these patients
. Histol Histopathol 26, 1399-1404 (2011)

Key words: Transglutaminase 2, Cyclosporine, Gingiva, Overgrowth

DOI: 10.14670/HH-26.1399