Immunohistochemical expression of Tenascin in embryogenesis, tumorigenesis and inflammatory oral mucosa

Tenascin expression in developing tooth was seen mainly at epithelial-mesenchymal junctions, but temporally reduced at cap stage. In normal mucosa TN expression was restricted only at basement membrane zone. Inflammatory gingival hyperplasia intensity of expression was enhanced at the juxtraepithelial stroma and showed reticular pattern of expression. In oral squamous cell carcinoma, intensity of expression was seen in superficial front of the stroma and also around tumour islands with intraepithelial expression and predominantly showed fibrillar pattern of expression. Furthermore, Tenascin expression was noticed around neovascularization. Hence, there is a regulatory system in Tenascin expression and plays a vital role in embryogenesis, tumerogenesis and inflammation in remodelling the stroma for cell migration and also for healing.