title: Nitric oxide synthase isoenzyme expression in human oral lichen planus.
abstract: The roles of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) enzyme in pathological mechanisms of the oral cavity are still incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the endothelial, neuronal and inducible isoforms of NOS (eNOS, nNOS and iNOS) in oral lichen planus (OLP) development in humans. OLP and healthy oral mucosa biopsies were taken for mRNA and protein analysis of NOS isoenzymes by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein levels of eNOS and nNOS were present in all samples, with a significant increase only for eNOS in OLP. The normal oral mucosa exhibited only small amounts of iNOS mRNA and protein, while it showed a significant rise in OLP samples. These results were confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Our findings suggest that NO produced by increased eNOS and iNOS expression may have circulatory and immune functions in the development of OLP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medical Science and Biotechnology, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mastrangelo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology and Histology, AUSL of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Science, Insubria University of Varese, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tettamanti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Science, University of LAquila, LAquila, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gatto
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Science, University of LAquila, LAquila, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.affiliation: Department of University of Vita e Salute, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vinci
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Science, Insubria University of Varese, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tagliabue
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology and Histology, AUSL of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Felaco
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medical Science and Biotechnology, University of Chieti, Chieti.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tete
authors.affiliation: Department of University of Vita e Salute, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gherlone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase