[Expression and significance of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, C-X-C motif 9 and keratin 19 in oral submucosal fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and localization of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), C-X-C motif 9 (CXCL9) and keratin 19 (KRT19) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and to evaluate their roles in the pathopoiesis of OSF.


METHODS
The expression and localization of COMP, CXCL9 and KRT19 were investigated in the specimens of 66 patients with oral submucous fibrosis and 14 normal controls by immunohistochemistry, and their protein and mRNA expressions were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
COMP was overexpressed in 36 (55%) cases of OSF, and 43 (65%) cases showed positive immunoreactivity for CXCL9 protein in the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells and endothelial cells in OSF. All normal buccal mucosa tissues were stained continuously and strongly for KRT19 in the cytoplasm of basal cells, only 7 (11%) of 66 OSF samples showed faint and fragmented KRT19 staining in the cytoplasm of basal cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting results were fully consistent with the immunohistochemical data.


CONCLUSIONS
COMP, CXCL9 and KRT19 play an important role in the pathopoiesis of OSF.
Li
Ning
N
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Jian
Xin-chun
XC
D000328:Adult; D064236:Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D053539:Keratin-19 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
C080810:CXCL9 protein, human; D064236:Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D053539:Keratin-19; D064235:Matrilin Proteins; C577553:TSP5 protein, human