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Background: Although the molecular mechanisms that cause the development of hereditary gingival fibromatosis are not fully understood, multiple theories have been suggested to clarify its pathogenesis. However, the overlying keratinocytes' function is poorly comprehended. This work aimed to investigate the expression of TGF-β and MMP-2 in hereditary gingival fibromatosis epithelial cells compared to the normal gingival epithelium to give an insight into the mechanism of the development of this condition., Methods: Biopsies were obtained from 20 hereditary gingival fibromatosis patients and 20 healthy controls. Biopsies were stained immunohistochemically and statistically analyzed for MMP-2 and TGF-β expression., Results: Regarding MMP-2, The hereditary gingival fibromatosis group recorded a higher mean value compared to the normal gingiva, with a mean difference of 3.29 ± 0.34. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00). Regarding TGF-β, a higher mean value was recorded in the HGF group compared to the normal gingiva, with a mean difference of 15.88 ± 1.05 The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00). A strong positive correlation was detected between MMP-2 and TGF-β (R = 0.534, p = 0.015)., Conclusions: In hereditary gingival fibromatosis, the epithelium expresses higher levels of TGF-β and MMP-2 than normal gingival tissue. There was an evident positive correlation between MMP-2 and TGF-β. Our data suggest that the expression of TGF-β and MMP2 by epithelial cells of HGF may play a role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathogenic pathway., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest., (© 2022 Craniofacial Research Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relation between vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in different oral lichen planus (OLP) forms compared to control patients., Methods: Biopsies from 60 patients were selected and equally distributed as follows: reticular/popular OLP (R/PLP), atrophic/erosive OLP (A/ELP) patients, healthy subjects (Control). All biopsies were immune-histochemical stained and statistically analyzed for VEGF and MMP-2 expression., Results: Immune-expression of VEGF was significant between OLP and control ( P -value <0.001). OLP showed a higher epithelial expression of VEGF in A/ELP compared to R/PLP (15.19 ± 2.53). In connective tissue (CT), R/PLP showed a higher VEGF expression (11.57 ± 2.32) compared to A/ELP (9.87 ± 2.48); (p < 0.001), with no significant difference ( P -value ≥ 0.05). A significant epithelial expression of MMP-2 was seen in A/ELP compared to R/PLP (21.32 ± 7.08). R/PLP showed a higher expression of MMP-2 (20.45 ± 6.28) in CT compared to A/ELP group (17.66 ± 6.94), with a non-significant difference ( P -value = 1.000). In A/ELP, a positive correlation between VEGF and MMP-2 was detected in CT, r = 0.761, with a weak correlation was noticed in epithelium r = 0.163. A negative correlation was noted between VEGF and MMP-2 in R/PLP in CT, r = -0.368, with a moderate positive correlation in epithelium, r = 0.655., Conclusion: MMP-2 and VEGF protein profiles support a role in the pathogenesis of OLP. Based the MMP-2 and VEGF findings in the A/ELP group, this pathway may have a role in the malignant transformation of these lesions. Both observations invite further study., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest., (© 2020 Craniofacial Research Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)