Apoptosis and MMP-2, TIMP-2 expression in cleft lip and palate.

Aim of our study was complex detection of appearance and distribution of specific signalling proteins and apoptosis in facial tissue of children with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CBCLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Nineteen CBCLP patients and 11 unaffected subjects were involved in this study. All the tissue samples were proceeded for detection of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), and apoptosis. The intensity of immunostaining was graded semi-quantitatively. Results of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method were obtained by counting apoptosis positive cells in five unintentionally chosen fields of vision. Groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS. TUNEL-positive oral epithelial cells were significantly increased in the control group when compared with the CBCLP group. Connective tissue cells have a statistically significant lower expression of TIMP-2 in the control group compared to the CBCLP group. CONCLUSIONS. TIMP-2 positive connective tissue cells increasingly found in oral mucosa lamina propria proves the decrease of local apoptosis in CLP patients. Prominent expression of MMP-2 in cleft affected soft tissue indicates a possible increase of tissue remodelling.