title: Drug-induced fibrosis: interference with the intracellular collagen degradation pathway.
abstract: Drug-induced fibrosis and overgrowth of the extracellular matrix are high prevalence lesions of the oral mucosa. Drugs, such as dilantin, cyclosporin A and nifedipine can cause the gum tissues to overgrow, thereby preventing normal mastication and promoting infection. The causes of these disorders are poorly understood but recent evidence suggests that a common pathway targeted by these three drugs is the regulation of the intracellular pathway of collagen degradation. In this review, recent data that implicate calcium deregulation of the critical actin-dependent binding step of collagen phagocytosis will be discussed. These new insights highlight the need for a greater choice of medications for the treatment of transplant rejection and epilepsy to reduce the side effect of gingival overgrowth.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada. christopher.mcculloch@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McCulloch
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003094:Collagen; D002118:Calcium