Immunoexpression of alpha smooth muscle actin correlates with serum transforming growth factor-β1 levels in oral submucous fibrosis.

The progressive increase in myofibroblasts from early to advanced stages suggests their potential use as markers for evaluating the severity of OSMF. Additionally, as myofibroblasts are responsible for producing a variety of factors that are involved in the fibrotic processes; they could be the key link in the pathogenesis of OSMF. Interruption of their development, recruitment, or activation could provide a unique therapeutic target for future treatment options in patients with OSMF.