Immunohistochemical study of experimentally drug-induced gingival overgrowth.

The increasing frequency of using in the medical practice drugs that have the potential to induce gingival overgrowth (GO) and the existence of many unknown aspects in GO etiopathogenesis have prompted us to carry out this immunohistochemical experimental animal study. We conducted a cell proliferation study by Ki67 immunostaining and a cytokeratin (CK) study using anti-pan-CK AE1∕AE3 and anti-MNF116 antibodies, investigating the differences induced by different classes of drugs that are more frequently involved in the induction of GO. The results of our study indicate that CK AE1∕AE3 plays an important role not only in normal cellular proliferation, but also in hypertrophic tissues, and can be considered a marker of the proliferative process occurring in GO. Immunostaining for the anti-MNF116 antibody was weaker and inconsistent in intensity compared to anti-CK AE1∕AE3 antibody, its staining pattern appearing as diffuse or zonal.