Salivary Expression of Cyclophilin A and FK506-Binding Protein 51 in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Versus Healthy Controls:...

Immunophilins, a group of proteins comprising FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) and cyclophilins (Cyps), have been increasingly recognized as key contributors to fibrosis development in multiple organs, including the lungs, liver, heart, and bone marrow. The identification of immunophilins as potential therapeutic targets opens avenues for the development of inhibitory agents designed to impede both the initiation and progression of fibrosis.

This research aims to assess the levels of two vital salivary immunophilins- Cyclophilin A (CyP A) and FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP 51), in OSMF patients. The central goal is to quantify and then juxtapose the salivary concentration of CyP A and FKBP 51 in this specific patient group and healthy controls.

Saliva was collected from 32 subjects in the study group and 32 subjects in the healthy control group using an unstimulated spitting method. Salivary CyP A and FKBP51 levels were measured using sensitive and precise enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t-test to determine statistical significance.

The study demonstrated a statistically significant elevation in CyP A levels among subjects with OSMF (mean ± SD: 45.414 ± 9.69 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD: 8.243 ± 4.32 ng/mL; p < 0.001). It also showed a statistically significant increase in FKBP 51 levels in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (mean ± SD: 23.857 ± 5.45 ng/mL) compared to healthy individuals (mean ± SD: 5.829 ± 2.82 ng/mL; p < 0.001).

This study substantiates that the elevated salivary concentrations of CyP A and FKBP 51 in OSMF patients suggest their potential utility as a markers for diagnosis and prognosis of the same, offering the potential for timely intervention, more effective treatment planning, and improved patient outcomes.