Immunolocalization of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Cancers are complex tissues composed of multiple distinct cell types that participate in heterotypic interactions with one another. Physiologically cell-to-cell contacts formed by dense populations of normal cells operate to suppress further cell proliferation. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to evaluate and compare the immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to hypothesize their role in the progression in varying grades of these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 samples comprising of 30 cases each of OED and OSCC. Three micrometers thin sections were taken and subjected for hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical procedure. The sections were incubated with monoclonal anti-EpCAM anti-MMP-9 antibody. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19. RESULTS: The results of the study show EpCAM immunoexpression decreased in OSCC when compared to OED. MMP-9 immunoexpression increased in OSCC when compared to OED (statistically significant, P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Correlation between EpCAM and MMP-9 may help to unravel the signaling cascades involved in the carcinomatous changes, tumor cell invasion, and progression of OSCCs.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia.

Oral ulcers constitute one of the most common chief complaints of patients attending any dental practice. The cause of oral mucosal ulceration is generally attributed to acute or chronic trauma from local factors. However, oral lesions may be the initial manifestation of many systemic conditions. Moreover, a group of oral ulcerative lesions have been reported to exhibit vast numbers of eosinophils and known as Traumatic Ulcerative Granuloma with Stromal Eosinophilia (TUGSE). We present two cases of oral ulcers which on microscopic examination exhibited numerous eosinophils from ulcerated epithelium to deep into the submucosa and an exuberant lymphoid proliferation. CD15 immunohistochemical marker was used in these cases to ease the identification of the eosinophils. We also highlight the differential diagnosis of TUGSE that may manifest as oral lesions, as an important diagnostic guide for clinicians in contemporary practice.

Superoxide Dismutase response: physiological plasticity in tobacco users.

BACKGROUND: Free radicals (FRs) are active chemical substances having unpaired electron(s) which participate in the causation of precancerous lesions or cancer in tobacco habituates. Alterations in the antioxidant levels are reflected throughout the antioxidant enzyme activities in blood, wherein erythrocytes are considered highly sensitive to those enzymes. Our study was therefore aimed to assess the effects of tobacco consumption on erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme- Superoxide dismutase (E-SOD) and evaluate its defensive action. METHODS: E-SOD was estimated in 32 participants categorized in 2 groups (tobacco users and controls). 3 mL venous blood was withdrawn and antioxidant levels were assessed using RANSOD kit (Randox, Catalogue No.-125) as per the manufacturer's instructions. The E-SOD activity was then determined using spectrophotometry and the data was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: The Two-tailed Paired t-test was applied in smokers-SOD intergroup (mean=-124.45, P<0.0001) and chewers-SOD intergroup (mean=-66.70, P=0.1017). The mean SOD values (139.72±36.94) in cases were found to be significantly lower as compared to controls (212.75±37.04). The lowest SOD level was seen with chewers compared to other groups. CONCLUSIONS: E-SOD was found to be lowest among tobacco chewers probably due to the fact of excessive enzyme activity against prolonged release of carcinogens. The variability in the enzyme activity envisaged its potential as a biomarker in establishing the oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) much before the lesions arises or detect the progression of existing lesion to malignancy.

Polarized microscope assisted study of collagen fibres in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and their clinicopathologic correlation: An in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The present study was aimed to evaluate and analyze orientation and birefringence pattern of collagen fibers histopathologically in different grades of OSMF using the special stain (Picrosirius red) under polarizing microscope and relate these factors with the severity of OSMF. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 45 confirmed cases of OSMF were taken from the archives. The selection of clinical cases was done according to classification by J.N Khanna and Andrade (1999). These cases were correlated histopathologically as per the criteria given by Pindborg J.J and Sirsat S.M (1966). The sections were stained with H & E and Picrosirius red stains and assessment was done accordingly. 10 cases of normal mucosa were taken as control. RESULTS: In clinical grade I, 60% of the cases showed histopathological grade II, while 53.4% cases in clinical grade II correlated with histopathological grade III and 33.4% of clinical grade III cases showed histopathological grade IV. Upon application of Fisher's exact test a significant P value <.01 was obtained suggesting no statistical significant correlation between these two parameters. However, the orientation pattern revealed a parallel orientation as OSMF advanced. Also as the severity of the disease increased, there was a gradual shift from green- greenish yellow colour of the fibres and a shift to orange red-red colour. CONCLUSION: Upon correlation of clinical grades with histopathological grades, no statistically significant difference was found. Birefringence pattern of collagen revealed similar findings as other studies in case of clinical grades but histopathological grades showed a contrast finding.