title: Myofibroblasts and transforming growth factor-beta1 in reactive gingival overgrowths.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life of patients treated with implant-supported mandibular overdentures and to compare the attachment systems used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of myofibroblasts as well as transforming growth factor-beta1 was examined in twenty cases of fibrous epulis and 22 ossifying fibrous epulis, using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Myofibroblasts positive for alpha smooth muscle actin and vimentin but negative to desmin were found in 20% and 45% in fibrous epulis and ossifying fibrous epulis, respectively. Myofibroblasts were distributed in areas with and without inflammatory infiltration and their presence in inflammatory areas was not related with the degree of inflammatory infiltration. A percentage of 21 - 60% of fibroblasts and chronic inflammatory cells expressed transforming growth factor-beta1 in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that transforming growth factor-beta1 and myofibroblasts contribute to the formation of collagenous connective tissue in fibrous epulis and ossifying fibrous epulis. Myofibroblasts are mainly presented in ossifying fibrous epulis than in fibrous epulis. It seems to be no relationship between the presence of myofibroblasts and the degree of inflammatory infiltration of the lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Epivatianos
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andreadis
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece.
authors.forename: Savas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iordanidis
keywords: epulis; fibroma.; myofibroblasts; transforming growth factor beta1