Expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-associated proteins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in dihydropyridine-induced gingival overgrowth fibroblasts: A preliminary study

Abstract

Background/purposeThe clinical features of dihydropyridine-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO), including extracellular matrix accumulation and cell hyperplasia, are regulated by inflammatory factors (e.g., Interleukin-1β [IL-1β]) in combination with calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine [Nif]). We speculated that IL-1β and Nif (IL-1β/Nif) may be the main factor modulating the proliferative potential and turnover of fibroblasts in DIGO. Materials and methodsWe cultured four DIGO fibroblast strains and analysed the possible effects of IL-1β/Nif treatments on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins. We developed short hairpin ribonucleic acids (shRNAs) and used them to explore the role of IL-1β/Nif in regulating proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels in DIGO tissues. ResultsOur results revealed that compared with control cells, DIGO cells stimulated with IL-1β/Nif had higher levels of the EMT-associated proteins Snail, Slug, and Twist. Moreover, both drugs enhanced androgen receptor (AR), Slug, and PCNA expression. ConclusionTaken together, our data indicate that proinflammatory cytokines in combination with calcium channel blockers can regulate the expression of EMT-associated proteins and increase the proliferative potential of DIGO fibroblasts.