Association of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1) with gingival hyperplasia in heart transplant patients undergoing cyclosporine-A treatment.

Background: Gingival hyperplasia is a common complication of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A (CyA). However, the association of CyA with increased tissue concentrations of TGF- β(1), a potential causative factor of hyperplasia, remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of TGF- β(1) and IL-2 on the development and maintenance of gingival hyperplasia in patients treated with CyA after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).

Material/methods: Gingival hyperplasia was indexed in 60 patients, in accordance with McGraw and Potter scale. Patients were divided and comparisons were made among 3 groups: Group A (18 patients; 49.0 ± 12.1 y/o) after OHT with gingival hyperplasia (score 1, 2, 3), Group B (12 patients; 40.0 ± 15.1 y/o) after OHT without gingival hyperplasia (score 0), and Group C - the control group - (30 patients; 42.0 ± 10.8 y/o) with clinically healthy paradentium. Cytokines (TGF- β(1) and IL-2) were marked in gingival tissue homogenate. The concentration of CyA was marked in the patients' blood (Groups A and B).

Results: The highest mean concentration of TGF- β(1) was obtained in Group A and the lowest concentration was in the control group. A positive correlation was found between TGF- β(1) in gingival tissue and CyA blood concentration in Groups A and B.

Conclusions: TGF- β(1) is associated with gingival hyperplasia in patients treated with CyA after OHT procedure.