J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2002 Dec;28(6):421-433.

Immunohistochemical detection of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins in the degenerating tissues of pre- and postnatal human cleft lip and palate

• Min BG
• Lee SK
• Park YW

Abstract

In order to elucidate the pathogenesis of cleft lip and palate, first of all, it is necessary to understand the developmental mechanisms of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins in the tissues of cleft lip and palate. We have performed immunohistochemical studies on human cleft lip and palate tissues to elucidate the pathogenetic implications of cleft lip and palate. 16 specimens from postnatal human cleft lip and palate subjects and 17 specimens from autopsy of prenatal human cleft lip and palate were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin. The sections were routinely stained by hematoxylin and eosin, also stained by PAS, and followed by immunohistochemical stainings using the antiseras of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins such as PCNA, S-100, c-erb-B2, MMP-3, MMP-10, HSP-70, transglutaninase-C, E-cadherin, VEGF, vWF. Both the prenatal and postnatal specimens of cleft lip and palate showed dysplastic proliferation of the basal cell layer, increased infiltration of melanocytes into mucosal epithelium, sebaceous gland hyperplasia ingrowing into the muscular tissue of lip and palate, and fatty infiltration into the submucosal deep connective tissue. The strong reactions of MMP-3 and HSP-70 were detected in the tissues of cleft lip and palate, especially increased in degenerating muscle bundles, while the immunostainings of PCNA and c-erb-B2 were weakly positive in the tissues of cleft lip and palate. These data suggest that the retrogressive tissue degener-ation around the cleft areas persistently exist during the prenatal and postnatal period after cleft formation, and the sebaceous gland hyperplasia and fatty infiltration with the intense expression of MMP-3 and HSP-70 is closely related to the muscular degeneration around the cleft area.

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Cadherins
Cleft Lip*
Connective Tissue
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Epithelium
Extracellular Matrix Proteins*
Extracellular Matrix*
Formaldehyde
Hematoxylin
Humans*
Hyperplasia
Immune Sera
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
Lip
Melanocytes
Palate*
Paraffin
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Sebaceous Glands
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Cadherins
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Formaldehyde
Hematoxylin
Immune Sera
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Paraffin
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A