title: Immunoexpression of angiogenesis and proliferation markers in patients treated with cyclosporin A.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present immunohistochemical study, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide synthase 1 and 3, and Ki-67 in the gingival tissues of renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporin A was assessed. Gingival overgrowth (GO) frequently occurs in transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine and this gingival inflammation might play an important role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced GO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight human gingival biopsies were taken from healthy patients with chronic periodontitis (N.=14 control group), and from renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin A (N.=14 test group). The retrieved specimens were immunohistochemically processed and stained for vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide synthase 1 and 3, and Ki-67.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide synthase 1 and 3, and Ki-67 were found to be significantly different among groups (P>0.001), with patients treated with cyclosporin A showing higher levels of all the analyzed markers compared to control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, the data from this pilot study suggests that the investigated factors have a role in the inflammation processes associated to immunosuppressive therapy. However, further studies with a larger sample population need to be conducted for an exhaustive knowledge of the mechanisms leading to GO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnosis and Oral Surgery Araraquara Dental School, UNESP Araraquara, SP, Brazil - v.perrotti@unich.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afonso
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perrotti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iaculli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccirilli
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onuma
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shibli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Oliveira Bello
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sposto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Artese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D001706:Biopsy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D005886:Gingival Hypertrophy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000032:analysis*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000032:analysis*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016572:Cyclosporine; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III