Endothelin-1 and Its Receptors ET and ET in Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth

Background: The purpose of this study was to study the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its receptors ET and ET in normal human gingiva and cyclosporin-induced gingival fibroblasts.

Methods: Gingival samples were collected from eight normal healthy individuals, eight patients with periodontitis, and eight patients with cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth. Total RNA was extracted from tissue samples, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed for ET-1, ET , and ET . ET-1 protein was estimated from the tissues by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of ET-1 and its receptors was also examined in gingival fibroblast cells treated with CsA.

Results: ET-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with CsA-induced gingival overgrowth (P <0.001) than in patients with periodontitis and the controls. ET mRNA was expressed more than the ET in all examined samples. In human gingival fibroblasts, ET-1 expression was increased with CsA incorporation compared to controls (P <0.001).

Conclusion: These results suggest that CsA can modulate the expression of ET-1 in gingival fibroblasts and CsA-induced gingival overgrowth.