The Role of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Its Precursor Forms in Oral Wound Healing.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its different precursor forms are secreted into human saliva by salivary glands and are also produced by an array of cells in the tissues of the oral cavity. The major forms of NGF in human saliva are forms of pro-nerve growth factor (pro-NGF) and not mature NGF. The NGF receptors tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) are widely expressed on cells in the soft tissues of the human oral cavity, including keratinocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and leukocytes, and in ductal and acinar cells of all types of salivary glands.

Signal transduction and gene transcription induced by TFF3 in oral keratinocytes.

Trefoil factor family 3 (TFF3) is secreted in saliva. The peptide improves the mechanical and chemical resistance of mucins, and it may act as a motility signal for oral keratinocytes during wound healing. This study aimed to identify novel functions of TFF3 in oral keratinocytes.

Nerve growth factor beta/pro-nerve growth factor and their receptors in normal human oral mucosa.

Nerve growth factor beta (NGF-beta) and its precursor proNGF are important for the differentiation and survival of neurons and dermal keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to determine the role that NGF might play in the differentiation and wound healing of oral mucosa. Cultured normal human oral mucosal keratinocytes expressed mRNA for NGF-beta/proNGF and for their receptors TrkA and p75(NTR).

Survival signalling in keratinocytes of erythematous oral lichen planus.

Background: Keratinocytes in oral lichen (OL) planus have been shown to be exposed to potentially cell death-inducing factors such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and FasL, produced by the cells of the inflammatory infiltrate and by the keratinocytes themselves. Mostly, however, the lesions do not show ulceration, the clinical manifestation of substantial keratinocyte death. The aim of this study was to find support for the contention that there is activation of protecting anti-apoptotic mechanisms in keratinocytes in a form of chronic OL (erythematous OL; ERY OL), simultaneously with the pathological cell death signals.

Mast cells--a role in periodontal diseases?

Objectives: Limited attention has been given to the role mast cells may play in periodontal diseases.

Background: Mast cells are indeed found abundantly below and within several types of mucosal epithelia. On the basis of their proteinase content, mast cells are divided into connective tissue (CT) and mucosal phenotypes.