[The distribution and significance of collagen type III and fibronectin in human gingiva].

Immunohistochemical methods were used to study the distribution and patterns of collagen type III and fibronectin (FN) in human gingiva, their appearance in normal and several periodontal diseases were compared and discussed. It is found that type III collagen and FN are distributed consistently throughout the connective tissue. In inflamed gingiva, both of them are greatly diminished (P < 0.01). It is suggested that they should be in coordination with each other in the maintenance of normal gingiva and the decrease in amount may play a role in the development of periodontal disease.