Ultrastructural changes in Langerhans cells in gingival overgrowth in cyclosporin A-treated renal transplant patients.
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.
Mariani
Giustiniano
G
Department of Morphology and Embryology, Section of Anatomy, University of Ferrara, Italy. clc@unife.it
Calastrini
Carla
C
Aleotti
Arrigo
A
Carnevale
Edvige
E
Stabellini
Giordano
G
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
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009418:S100 Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine