Biological marker for the establishment of periodontal disease: Cross-seccional study in gingival tissue

Abstract

Abstract Background The present study investigated the expression of COX-2, EMMPRIN, HIF-1α, and GLUT-1 in the gingival tissue, to verify if there is a correlation between the immunoexpression of these proteins and the changes caused by the inflamed infiltrate present in the gingival tissues. Material and methods A morphological analysis of epithelial changes (hyperplasia, exocytosis, spongiosis, and hydropic degeneration) was performed, as well as a semiquantitative analysis of the immunoexpression of COX-2, EMMPRIN, HIF-1α, and GLUT-1 in the epithelium and connective tissue of 60 specimens of gingival tissue. Results Epithelial immunoexpression to COX-2 was observed in three cases, while EMMPRIN, HIF-1α, and GLUT-1 were strongly expressed in the basal layer of the epithelium and gradually decreasing until the upper layers. In the connective tissue, COX-2 immunoexpression showed a statistical association (p < 0.001) with the gingival inflammatory infiltrate. In connective tissue, EMMPRIN, and HIF-1α exhibited intense immunopositivity, while GLUT-1 was negative in most cases. Conclusion COX-2 expression may constitute a biological marker of gingival tissues since its epithelial immunoexpression may indicate a greater propensity for the establishment of periodontal disease.