TGFbeta3 expression in non-syndromic orofacial clefts.
BACKGROUND
Genetic studies have demonstrated that non-syndromic cleft is composed of two separate entities - cleft palate only (CPO) and cleft of lip, alveolus with or without cleft palate (CL+/-P) -, both have a heterogeneous genetic background and environmental factors contribute to the onset of these malformations. Previous studies have shown that TGFbeta3 could be involved in these diseases, but no conclusive results have been reached.


OBJECTIVE
In order to detect if TGFbeta3 has a role in cleft diseases, a series of non-syndromic cleft patients and controls are analyzed for TGFbeta3 protein expression.


METHODS
Forty-three non-syndromic cleft patients and 21 unaffected subjects were involved in this study. Paraffin-embedded specimens were matched with the TGFbeta3 antibody and then scanned with a computerized image analyzer. TGFbeta3 was found to be absent (less than 10%), moderate (from 10% to 30%) and highly expressed (higher than 30%) in epithelium (EP), minor palatal salivary gland (GL) and fibres of elevator palati muscle (MU). Data was statistically analyzed with a Kruskal-Wallis test.


RESULTS
Only GL and EP have a statistically significant lower expression in non-syndromic cleft compared to unaffected subjects. A subsequent comparison between CL+/-P and CPO groups demonstrates a statistically significant difference only for GL, with a lower expression in GL of CPO patients.


CONCLUSIONS
TGFbeta3 is decreasingly expressed in GL of unaffected CL+/-P and CPO patients and thus further strength is given to a pathogenetic role of TGFbeta3 in the onset of clefts.
Rullo
Rosario
R
Dental Clinic, Second University of Naples, Via De Crecchio, 80138 Napoli, Italy. rosario.rullo@unina2.it
Gombos
Fernando
F
Ferraraccio
Franca
F
Farina
Antonio
A
Morano
Danila
D
Festa
Vincenzo M
VM
Guida
Luigi
L
Martinelli
Marcella
M
Scapoli
Luca
L
Pezzetti
Furio
F
Carinci
Francesco
F
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000235:genetics*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000235:genetics*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010159:Palate / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014157:Transcription Factors; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D014157:Transcription Factors; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3