IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF TENASCIN-C IN FOCAL REACTIVE OVERGROWTHS OF ORAL-MUCOSA

Focal reactive overgrowths of oral mucosa were investigated in the fol lowing groups: gingival pyogenic granuloma, fibrous epulis, calcifying fibrous epulis, peripheral giant cell granuloma, giant cell fibroma, fibroepithelial polyp and denture-related fibrous hyperplasia (n=8 for each group). We hypothesised that immunoreactivity to tenascin-C, a f unctional protein associated with connective tissue organisation and c ell migration, would be differentially distributed in individual lesio ns and between lesion groups. Staining patterns for giant cell fibroma s and fibroepithelial polyps were similar to those reported for normal mucosa. By contrast, additional staining was observed in the other le sion groups, although immunoreactivity was variable and not specific t o each lesion group. Strong immunoreactivity was observed around blood vessels lined with plump endothelial cells and in regions where kerat inocytes were migrating over ulcerated surfaces. Interlacing collageno us fascicles could be either strongly or weakly immunoreactive, with e ither fibrillar or diffuse staining. Localised staining was observed a round, but not within, areas of calcification.