Cholesterol depletion induces mesenchymal properties in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol in cell membranes is crucial for cell signaling, adhesion, and migration. Membranes feature cholesterol-rich caveolae with caveolin proteins, playing roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer progression. Despite elevated cholesterol levels in tumors, its precise function and the effects of its depletion in oral squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cholesterol depletion in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. METHODS: Cholesterol depletion was induced on SCC-9 cells by methyl-ß-cyclodextrin and cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and colony formation capacities were evaluated. Gene and protein expressions were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western Blot, respectively, and cell sublocalization was assessed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Cholesterol depletion resulted in alteration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell morphology at different concentrations of methyl-ß-cyclodextrin, as well as decreased cell proliferation and viability rates. Analysis of CAV1 transcript expression revealed increased gene expression in the treated SCC-9 during the 24 h period, at different concentrations of methyl-ß-cyclodextrin: 5 , 7.5, 10, and 15 mM, in relation to parental SCC-9. CAV1 protein expression was increased, with subsequent dose-dependent decrease. A statistically significant difference was observed in samples treated with 5 mM of methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (p = 0.02, Kruskal-Wallis test). The immunofluorescence assay showed lower cytoplasmic and membrane labeling intensity in the treated samples for CAV1. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the modulation of cholesterol as a possible mechanism underlying the regulation of these molecules and activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Simultaneous presentation of juvenile ossifying fibroma in the maxilla and mandible: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a controversial and uncommon lesion that has been distinguished from the larger group of ossifying fibromas because of distinct clinical features and some morphological peculiarities. Furthermore, JOF shows an aggressive biological behavior that has led researchers to consider it a benign neoplasm, resulting in its differential diagnosis with important benign and malignant bone neoplasms. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This study describes a case of synchronous presentation of JOF in the mandible and maxilla of a young patient. In addition, the literature was reviewed to identify clinical-pathologic features and possible factors that could help establish the correct diagnosis. A 26-year-old male patient presented simultaneously a lesion affecting the body, angle and ramus of the left mandible and another lesion in the left maxilla. Both lesions were well delimited and radiolucent, being unilocular in the maxilla and multilocular in the mandible. The mandibular lesion was partially resected and the maxillary lesion was submitted to curettage. The diagnosis was JOF. DICUSSION: A delay in seeking medical care and a late diagnosis can have serious consequences for the postoperative functional and esthetic outcome. Much care should be taken during establishment of this diagnosis since an equivocal diagnosis can have serious consequences for the patient in terms of treatment. CONCLUSION: After 1 year, the patient shows no signs or symptoms of recurrence of the lesions and was referred for reconstructive surgery of the mandible. An early and correct diagnosis is necessary to permit the best therapeutic management.