Immunoexpression of alpha smooth muscle actin correlates with serum transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in oral submucous fibrosis.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to correlate the immunoexpression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) for myofibroblasts with the serum levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). METHODS: A total of 100 cases of histopathologically confirmed OSMF were assessed for alpha-SMA expression. Clinical data, such as age, sex, mouth opening, and habit history, were obtained for each case. Serum TGF-beta1 levels were recorded in 73 patients with the help of enzymelinked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: The staining index of alpha-SMA increased concomitantly with higher myofibroblast count in the increasing histopathological grades of OSMF (P </= .05). Serum TGF-beta1 levels were highest in the intermediate grades of OSMF. Clinical parameters, such as mouth opening, cheek flexibility, and tongue protrusion, showed a direct correlation with increasing clinical grades of OSMF. CONCLUSIONS: The progressive increase in myofibroblasts from early to advanced stages suggests their potential use as markers for evaluating the severity of OSMF. Additionally, as myofibroblasts are responsible for producing a variety of factors that are involved in the fibrotic processes; they could be the key link in the pathogenesis of OSMF. Interruption of their development, recruitment, or activation could provide a unique therapeutic target for future treatment options in patients with OSMF.