title: Ultrastructural changes in Langerhans cells in gingival overgrowth in cyclosporin A-treated renal transplant patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our research was focused on the ultrastructural features of gingival epithelium in kidney transplant patients and, in particular, on Langerhans cells, with the aim of verifying whether ultrastructural modifications might explain gingival overgrowth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using electron microscopy and immunohistochemical S100 staining at optical microscopy, we examined gingival samples obtained from 18 kidney transplant patients who presented with gingival overgrowth following cyclosporin A treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hyperkeratosis shown by the epithelium, and especially the absence of Birbeck granules in the Langerhans cells observed in serial sections, lead us to correlate these data to an immunodeficiency which affects the epithelium in the complex mechanism determining overgrowth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our previous studies we attributed the responsibility of overgrowth to the connective tissue alone. However, in the light of the present results, we cannot exclude a contribution of the epithelium to gingival overgrowth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology and Embryology, Section of Anatomy, University of Ferrara, Italy. clc@unife.it
authors.forename: Giustiniano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calastrini
authors.forename: Arrigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aleotti
authors.forename: Edvige
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carnevale
authors.forename: Giordano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stabellini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009418:S100 Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine