OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate gene/protein expression alterations of intercellular connections' components in oral leukoplakia (OLs) and squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of desmogleins-2,3 (Dsg2/Dsg3), E-cadherin, and their cytoplasmic ligand, β/γ-catenins were quantitatively assessed in HSC-3 cells growing as monolayer cultures (ML)/multicellular aggregates (MCAs), using RT-PCR/Western blot, whereas their localization was detected by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, their expression was semi-quantitatively investigated in tissues from 25 OLs/25 OSCCs, using automated immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The steady-state levels of Dsg3 RNA transcripts increased as HSC-3 cells enter their exponential phase of growth, before a dramatic decrease to be observed as cells reached their plateau phase especially in MCAs. Upon the same period of time, Dsg2 levels have been increased. The expression of γ-catenin but not that of β-catenin was increased after 48 h in both MLs and MCAs. In clinical samples, Dsg3, Ε-cadherin, β/γ-catenin down-regulation was observed to be associated with the grade of OLs-dysplasia and OSCCs. Importantly, a membrane-to-cytoplasmic switch of expression and strong perinuclear aggregation of Dsg3/γ-catenin was seen in both HSC-3 cells and OLs/OSCCs. CONCLUSIONS: The altered expression of Dsg3/γ-catenin and E-cadherin/β-catenin, in vitro and in ODs/OSCC imply their involvement in growth regulation and phenotype of dysplastic/malignant oral epithelial cells, contributing to the better understanding of epithelial dysplasia and OSCCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The observed alterations of their expression suggest a role of Dsg3 and γ-catenin (additionally to E-cadherin/β-catenin) as biomarkers of malignant transformation risk of oral dysplasia and the biological behavior (aggressiveness) of oral cancer, respectively.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate gene/protein expression alterations of intercellular connections' components in oral leukoplakia (OLs) and squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of desmogleins-2,3 (Dsg2/Dsg3), E-cadherin, and their cytoplasmic ligand, β/γ-catenins were quantitatively assessed in HSC-3 cells growing as monolayer cultures (ML)/multicellular aggregates (MCAs), using RT-PCR/Western blot, whereas their localization was detected by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, their expression was semi-quantitatively investigated in tissues from 25 OLs/25 OSCCs, using automated immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The steady-state levels of Dsg3 RNA transcripts increased as HSC-3 cells enter their exponential phase of growth, before a dramatic decrease to be observed as cells reached their plateau phase especially in MCAs. Upon the same period of time, Dsg2 levels have been increased. The expression of γ-catenin but not that of β-catenin was increased after 48 h in both MLs and MCAs. In clinical samples, Dsg3, Ε-cadherin, β/γ-catenin down-regulation was observed to be associated with the grade of OLs-dysplasia and OSCCs. Importantly, a membrane-to-cytoplasmic switch of expression and strong perinuclear aggregation of Dsg3/γ-catenin was seen in both HSC-3 cells and OLs/OSCCs. CONCLUSIONS: The altered expression of Dsg3/γ-catenin and E-cadherin/β-catenin, in vitro and in ODs/OSCC imply their involvement in growth regulation and phenotype of dysplastic/malignant oral epithelial cells, contributing to the better understanding of epithelial dysplasia and OSCCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The observed alterations of their expression suggest a role of Dsg3 and γ-catenin (additionally to E-cadherin/β-catenin) as biomarkers of malignant transformation risk of oral dysplasia and the biological behavior (aggressiveness) of oral cancer, respectively.
Authors: Jutta Maria Nagel; Lydia Kriegl; David Horst; Jutta Engel; Shiva Gautam; Christos S Mantzoros; Thomas Kirchner; Burkhard Göke; Frank Thomas Kolligs Journal: Int J Colorectal Dis Date: 2010-08-25 Impact factor: 2.571
Authors: T Fillies; H Buerger; C Gaertner; C August; B Brandt; U Joos; R Werkmeister Journal: Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 2.789
Authors: Fernanda Ferreira Lopes; Márcia Cristina da Costa Miguel; Antônio Luiz Amaral Pereira; Maria Carmen Fontoura Nogueira da Cruz; Roseana de Almeida Freitas; Leão Pereira Pinto; Lélia Batista de Souza Journal: Ann Diagn Pathol Date: 2008-10-05 Impact factor: 2.090