Expression of connective tissue growth factor in keratinocytes of oral submucous fibrosis

[Objective] To investigate the significance of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis(OSF).[Methods] CTGF mRNA in keratinocyte(KC)of the paraff in embeded tissues of 34 cases OSF,10 normals were determined by the in situ hybridization technique.[Results] There was an expression of CTGF mRNA in KCs of 24 OSFs(70.6%).The positive expression of CTGF mRNA was higher in KCs of early stage OSF than that of middle and advanced stage(P 0.05).There was no expression in that of 10 normal tissues.[Conclusions] KC of OSF tissue may synthesize and release CTGF which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OSF.CTGF may participate as a mediator in the fibrotic process of OSF.