Objective: To study the expression of the proliferating c el l nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cell nuclear area in the different layers of oral d ysplasia epithelium. Methods: S-P immunohistochemical method an d morphometric technique(computer image measurement method) were used to examine the PCNA and cell nuclear area in the different layers of the normal oral epith elium(NOR) in 8 cases and abnormal oral epithelium in 46 cases including mild d ysplasia(LD), moderate dysplasia(MD), severe dysplasia(SD) and well-differentia ted squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). Results: The positive PCNA sta ining cells in normal epithelium was found mainly in the basal layer. The prolif erating index(PI) in the whole layer of abnormal oral epithelium were increased (P05). PI in the basal la yer of abnormal epithelium was higher than in NOR (P0.05). PI in the spi nosum layer and superficial layer (granulosum and lucidum layer) increased with the development of the lesions, The cell nuclear area in the basal and spinosum layer of the abnormal epithelium increased(P

OBJECTIVETo ascertain histology changes of hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and the location of HGF gene.

METHODSA pedigree analyses of HGF; and the ultrastructure of gingival overgrowth tissue was observed with electron microscopy. The overgrowth of the HGF gene was defined with microsatellite markers.

RESULTSThe connective tissue of HGF consisted of coarse collagen bundles and several kinds of cells arranged abnormally, such as: epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells and so on; the HGF locus had been mapped to chromosome 5q13-q22.

CONCLUSIONSThe gingival pathologic changes resemble "hamartoma"; the findings has implications for identification of the underlying genetic basis of HGF.

Child ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Fibromatosis, Gingival ; genetics ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Gingiva ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pedigree