Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of idiopathic gingival fibromatosis (IGF). Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) were isolated from patients with IGF and periodontitis. Differential gene expression in the hGFs was analyzed using RNA sequencing. Extracellular matrix-related gene expression in the hGFs was analyzed. The effect of specific protein (SP)1 inhibitor or recombinant human transglutaminase 2 (rh-TGM2) on biglycan (BGN) expression in hGFs was also determined. RNA sequencing showed that TGM2 expression was downregulated and BGN mRNA expression was upregulated in patients with IGF relative to periodontitis. rh-TGM2 stimulation of hGFs in patients with IGF significantly reduced BGN expression. SP1 inhibitors downregulated BGN expression in the hGFs. BGN upregulation via SP1 causes TGM2 downregulation in gingival fibroblasts in IGF.