Expression of insulin like growth factor binding protein-5 in drug induced human gingival overgrowth.

Background & Objective: Insulin like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) control the distribution, function and activity of insulin like growth factors (IGFs) in various cells, tissues and body fluids, thereby modulating their metabolic and mitogenic effects. IGFBP-5, the most conserved IGFBP, can function through IGF or directly play a role in fibrosis. Cyclosporine A (CsA) widely used in organ transplant patients, often causes various side effects including gingival fibrotic overgrowth. This study was carried out to assess the mRNA expression of IGFBP-5 in healthy human gingival, chronic periodontitis and CsA induced gingival overgrowth tissues.

Methods: Total RNA was isolated from gingival tissues collected from eight patients with chronic periodontitis, eight patients with CsA induced gingival outgrowth and an equal number of healthy individuals, and subjected to reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for IGFBP-5 gene expression.

Results: CsA induced gingival overgrowth tissues expressed increased IGFBP-5 mRNA compared to control and chronic periodontitis.

Interpretation & Conclusion: Increased mRNA expression of IGFBP-5 in CsA induced gingival outgrowth tissues may be associated with increased collagen synthesis, thereby promoting fibrogenesis.