Immunohistochemical localization of type IV collagen and laminin (alpha 1)in denture stomatitis

Chronic clinical irritation of the palatal mucosa by dentures involves a se ries of histological changes in epithelial and connective tissues, inflamma tory cells and the vasculature. No single change is pathognomic of this inf lammatory process. The rupture of basement membrane associated with the dev elopment of denture stomatitis often maths an important stage, This study i nvestigated modifications in basement membrane organisation, especially the distribution of type IV collagen and a specific laminin chain (alpha1), du ring denture stomatitis. Biopsies of palatal mucosa were obtained from 12 p atients (8 with denture stomatitis and 4 with clinically healthy mucosa) wh o had worn removable dentures for more than 3 years, Immunohistochemical st udies performed with specific antibodies to type IV collagen and a laminin (alpha1) revealed strong expression in the basement membrane of healthy pal atal mucosa, In denture stomatitis, some discontinuities or disruptions in basement membrane were observed at the interface between connective tissue and epithelial cells. These findings suggest a relationship between the exp ression of laminin (alpha1) and type IV collagen and the development of den ture stomatitis, a disorder involving modification of soft tissues in which initial inflammation of the palatal mucosa results from stress under the d enture. These changes in basement membrane can be detected by histological studies.