Differential diagnosis of gingival hyperplasia based on IFN-gamma-stimulated gene expression using oligonucleotide microarrays.

The aetiopathogenesis of epuli, a group of benign gingival hyperplasias, remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to determine similarities and differences between benign (epulus) and malignant (cancer) gingival hyperplasias based on the evaluation of three signal pathways stimulated by the IFN-gamma complex. Five gingival specimens sampled from giant cell epulus, fibrous epulus, central giant cell granuloma, high- and low-differentiated carcinoma were involved in the investigations. Based on literature data, a map was designed/developed, and selected genes of three signal pathways stimulated by the IFN-gamma complex were marked on the map. Gene expression was compared on five oligonucleotide microarrays. In molecular analysis, giant cell epulus shows characteristics of a neoplastic lesion, while central giant cell granuloma constitutes a separate diagnostic entity different from epuli and carcinoma.