Expression of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in gingiva affected by hereditary gingival fibromatosis: analysis of three cases within a family.
OBJECTIVE
Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a benign disorder manifested by fibrous enlargement of keratinized gingiva. Evidence exists concerning the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in mediating normal and pathological processes, including HGF. Nevertheless, there are few and contradictory results on the analysis of MMPs and TIMPs transcripts in this pathology.


METHODS
We studied the expression of the transcripts encoding MMP-1, -2 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2 in gingival biopsies, obtained from three cases of HGF within a family, by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Samples were also processed for gelatin zymography.


RESULTS
Except for MMP-9, most transcripts presented a higher level of expression in biopsies from HGF patients compared with control subjects. Accordingly, MMP-9 gelatinase activity was detected at low and similar levels among samples. Moreover, MMP-2 enzymatic activity was not detected at all.


CONCLUSIONS
The mRNA expression of MMP-1 and -2 and TIMP-1 and -2 does not explain the gingival overgrowth presented in these cases. In addition, it is suggested that the gene expression of those molecules in the course of HGF is regulated at the translational or post-translational level.
Gonçalves
L Da Ros
Lda R
School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. lorena.da@terra.com.br
Oliveira
G A P
GA
Borojevic
R
R
Otazu
I B
IB
Feres-Filho
E J
EJ
D001706:Biopsy; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005351:Fibromatosis, Gingival / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000235:genetics; D005881:Gingiva / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; C120487:pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C522360:MMP1 protein, human; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1