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Yim IS, Laronde DM. Biomarkers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition: E-cadherin and beta-catenin in malignant transformation of oral lesions. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE : CJDH = JOURNAL CANADIEN DE L'HYGIENE DENTAIRE : JCHD 2024; 58:111-119. [PMID: 38974823 PMCID: PMC11223640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Objective Detecting oral lesions at high risk of becoming cancer may enable early interventions to prevent oral cancer. The diagnosis of dysplasia in an oral lesion is used to predict this risk but is subject to interobserver and intraobserver variability. Studying biomarkers or molecular markers that reflect underlying molecular alterations can serve as an additional and objective method of risk assessment. E-cadherin and beta-catenin, molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), potentially contribute to early malignant progression in oral tissue. This narrative review provides an overview of EMT, its relation to oral cancer, and the interaction among E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and the Wnt pathway in malignant progression of oral tissue. Methods Full-text literature on EMT, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, oral epithelial dysplasia, and oral cancer was retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar. Results Sixty original research articles, reviews, and consensus statements were selected for review. Discussion EMT, a biological mechanism characterized by epithelial and mesenchymal changes, can contribute to cancer development. Molecular markers of EMT including TWIST, vimentin, and N-cadherin may serve as prognostic markers of oral cancer. Dependent on Wnt pathway activity and the loss of membranous E-cadherin, E-cadherin and beta-catenin can play various roles along the spectrum of malignant progression, including tumour inhibition, early tumour progression, and late-stage tumour progression. Cross-sectional immunohistochemical research has found changes in expression patterns of E-cadherin and beta-catenin from normal oral tissue, oral epithelial dysplasia, to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion Future research should explore the longitudinal role of EMT markers in predicting malignant progression in oral tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilena S Yim
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program, Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Denise M Laronde
- Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program, Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Xiang Y, Si L, Zheng Y, Wang H. Shikonin enhances chemosensitivity of oral cancer through β-catenin pathway. Oral Dis 2024; 30:433-447. [PMID: 36453015 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study concentrates on exploring the synergistic effect of shikonin on cisplatin against oral cancer. METHODS To analyze the IC50 value of shikonin, gradient concentrations of shikonin were added to the oral cancer cell culture medium. After the cisplatin-resistant cell line was established, the effects of cisplatin and shikonin on the survival rate, proliferation, apoptosis and related pathway protein expression of common/drug-resistant oral cancer cells were compared through MTT, clone formation, flow cytometry, and Western blot experiments. β-catenin, which had the most significant expression changes, was overexpressed and silenced, and used to design a reverse validation. RESULTS Shikonin inhibited the viability of oral cancer cells. Although cisplatin killed some cancer cells, its effect on drug-resistant cancer cells was significantly reduced. The addition of shikonin enhanced the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to cisplatin. Shikonin regulated key proteins in cell proliferation and apoptosis-related pathways. Among them, shikonin generated the most evident inhibitory effect on β-catenin. Therefore, β-catenin overexpression plasmid/siβ-catenin was transfected into the cells. Silenced β-catenin was found to reinforce the damaging effect of cisplatin on cancer cells, and overexpressed β-catenin reversed the effect of shikonin. CONCLUSION By down-regulating β-catenin expression, shikonin improves the sensitivity of drug-resistant oral cancer cells to cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xiang
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lujie Si
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huiming Wang
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Kingsley C, Kourtidis A. Critical roles of adherens junctions in diseases of the oral mucosa. Tissue Barriers 2023; 11:2084320. [PMID: 35659464 PMCID: PMC10161952 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2022.2084320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The oral cavity is directly exposed to a variety of environmental stimuli and contains a diverse microbiome that continuously interacts with the oral epithelium. Therefore, establishment and maintenance of the barrier function of the oral mucosa is of paramount importance for its function and for the body's overall health. The adherens junction is a cell-cell adhesion complex that is essential for epithelial barrier function. Although a considerable body of work has associated barrier disruption with oral diseases, the molecular underpinnings of these associations have not been equally investigated. This is critical, since adherens junction components also possess significant signaling roles in the cell, in addition to their architectural ones. Here, we summarize current knowledge involving adherens junction components in oral pathologies, such as cancer and oral pathogen-related diseases, while we also discuss gaps in the knowledge and opportunities for future investigation of the relationship between adherens junctions and oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Kingsley
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Antonis Kourtidis
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Groeger S, Zhou Y, Ruf S, Meyle J. Pathogenic Mechanisms of Fusobacterium nucleatum on Oral Epithelial Cells. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 3:831607. [PMID: 35478496 PMCID: PMC9037381 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.831607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is an oral chronic inflammatory disease and may cause tooth loss in adults. Oral epithelial cells provide a barrier for bacteria and participate in the immune response. Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is one of the common inhabitants of the oral cavity and has been identified as a potential etiologic bacterial agent of oral diseases, such as periodontitis and oral carcinomas. F. nucleatum has been shown to be of importance in the development of diverse human cancers. In the dental biofilm, it exhibits a structural role as a bridging organism, connecting primary colonizers to the largely anaerobic secondary colonizers. It expresses adhesins and is able to induce host cell responses, including the upregulation of defensins and the release of chemokines and interleukins. Like other microorganisms, its detection is achieved through germline-encoded pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). By identification of the pathogenic mechanisms of F. nucleatum it will be possible to develop effective methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases in which a F. nucleatum infection is involved. This review summarizes the recent progress in research targeting F. nucleatum and its impact on oral epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Groeger
- Department of Periodontology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Orthodontics, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sabine Groeger
| | - Yuxi Zhou
- Department of Periodontology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Ruf
- Department of Orthodontics, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joerg Meyle
- Department of Periodontology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Jot K, Urs AB, Kumar P. Does Loss of Immunohistochemical Expression of Glypican 3 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Play a Role in the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway? Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2021; 29:693-699. [PMID: 34091531 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a cell membrane protein and plays a dual role, as a tumor suppressor and oncogene, depending on its structure. It is known to regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and affect cell growth and proliferation. β-catenin plays a major oncogenic role in progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); thus, this study aimed to explore the relationship between β-catenin and GPC3 in OSCC. Immunoexpression of GPC3 and β-catenin was evaluated semiquantitatively in tumor tissue (n=80) and normal oral mucosa tissue (n=20). For GPC3, the percentage of stained cells and the staining intensity were assessed. For β-catenin, the percentage of stained cells, localization, and intensity of staining were assessed at the tumor-invasive front. The Pearson correlation was used to determine the correlation between the GPC3 and β-catenin immunoreactivity. Significantly decreased expression of GPC3 (P=0.008) and a highly significant difference in the case of localization of β-catenin (P=0.0001) were observed in OSCC when compared with normal oral mucosa. Cytoplasmic expression with a shift of β-catenin expression to the nucleus was seen in OSCC in comparison with primarily membranous and membranous and cytoplasmic staining in normal mucosa. A significant difference was observed with respect to localization of stain, with β-catenin staining moving to the nuclear compartment with an increase in the tumor grade (P=0.011). No correlation was observed between β-catenin and GPC3 expression in OSCC cases. It is concluded that loss of expression of GPC3 in OSCC compared with normal oral mucosa indicates that it plays the role of a tumor suppressor gene in OSCC and its expression is therefore silenced in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Jot
- Department of Oral Pathology, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Soares-Lima SC, Mehanna H, Camuzi D, de Souza-Santos PT, Simão TDA, Nicolau-Neto P, Almeida Lopes MDS, Cuenin C, Talukdar FR, Batis N, Costa I, Dias F, Degli Esposti D, Boroni M, Herceg Z, Ribeiro Pinto LF. Upper Aerodigestive Tract Squamous Cell Carcinomas Show Distinct Overall DNA Methylation Profiles and Different Molecular Mechanisms behind WNT Signaling Disruption. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3014. [PMID: 34208581 PMCID: PMC8234055 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) tumors present different biological behavior and prognosis, suggesting specific molecular mechanisms underlying their development. However, they are rarely considered as single entities (particularly head and neck subsites) and share the most common genetic alterations. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of the global DNA methylation differences among UADT tumors. We performed a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of esophageal (ESCC), laryngeal (LSCC), oral (OSCC) and oropharyngeal (OPSCC) squamous cell carcinomas, and their non-tumor counterparts. The unsupervised analysis showed that non-tumor tissues present markedly distinct DNA methylation profiles, while tumors are highly heterogeneous. Hypomethylation was more frequent in LSCC and OPSCC, while ESCC and OSCC presented mostly hypermethylation, with the latter showing a CpG island overrepresentation. Differentially methylated regions affected genes in 127 signaling pathways, with only 3.1% of these being common among different tumor subsites, but with different genes affected. The WNT signaling pathway, known to be dysregulated in different epithelial tumors, is a frequent hit for DNA methylation and gene expression alterations in ESCC and OPSCC, but mostly for genetic alterations in LSCC and OSCC. UADT tumor subsites present differences in genome-wide methylation regarding their profile, intensity, genomic regions and signaling pathways affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Coelho Soares-Lima
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37–6° Andar, Bairro de Fátima, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, Brazil; (S.C.S.-L.); (D.C.); (P.N.-N.); (M.d.S.A.L.)
| | - Hisham Mehanna
- Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (H.M.); (N.B.)
| | - Diego Camuzi
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37–6° Andar, Bairro de Fátima, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, Brazil; (S.C.S.-L.); (D.C.); (P.N.-N.); (M.d.S.A.L.)
| | | | - Tatiana de Almeida Simão
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. 28 de Setembro 87 fundos, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro 20551-013, Brazil;
| | - Pedro Nicolau-Neto
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37–6° Andar, Bairro de Fátima, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, Brazil; (S.C.S.-L.); (D.C.); (P.N.-N.); (M.d.S.A.L.)
| | - Monique de Souza Almeida Lopes
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37–6° Andar, Bairro de Fátima, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, Brazil; (S.C.S.-L.); (D.C.); (P.N.-N.); (M.d.S.A.L.)
| | - Cyrille Cuenin
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (C.C.); (F.R.T.); (D.D.E.); (Z.H.)
| | - Fazlur Rahman Talukdar
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (C.C.); (F.R.T.); (D.D.E.); (Z.H.)
| | - Nikolaos Batis
- Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (H.M.); (N.B.)
| | - Izabella Costa
- Seção de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Instituto Nacional de Câncer—INCA, Praça da Cruz Vermelha, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil; (I.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Fernando Dias
- Seção de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Instituto Nacional de Câncer—INCA, Praça da Cruz Vermelha, Rio de Janeiro 20230-130, Brazil; (I.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Davide Degli Esposti
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (C.C.); (F.R.T.); (D.D.E.); (Z.H.)
| | - Mariana Boroni
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Lab, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37–1° Andar, Bairro de Fátima, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, Brazil;
| | - Zdenko Herceg
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (C.C.); (F.R.T.); (D.D.E.); (Z.H.)
| | - Luis Felipe Ribeiro Pinto
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rua André Cavalcanti, 37–6° Andar, Bairro de Fátima, Rio de Janeiro 20231-050, Brazil; (S.C.S.-L.); (D.C.); (P.N.-N.); (M.d.S.A.L.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. 28 de Setembro 87 fundos, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro 20551-013, Brazil;
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Chowdhury P, Nagamalini BR, Singh J, Ashwini BK, Sharada, Swaminathan U. Expression of β-catenin in oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis: An immunohistochemical study. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021; 25:124-130. [PMID: 34349422 PMCID: PMC8272511 DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_41_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oral potentially malignant disorders have increased propensity to turn malignant than its apparently normal counterparts. Histopathological examination, although gold standard, needs adjunct technique to give accurate diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry has proved to be a promising adjunct to aid in the diagnosis so far. The quest for a definitive marker is still on. Beta-catenin (β-catenin), a structural protein has been evaluated to identify its likely role in malignant transformation of potentially malignant lesions and possibly designate it as one of the identifiable signature molecules in the transformation. Aim and Objective To evaluate and estimate the expression of β-catenin in different grades of dysplasia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and normal mucosa and compare the same. Methodology A total number of 40 cases including different grades of dysplasia, OSMF and normal mucosa were immunohistochemically stained, location and intensity of its expression were evaluated for β-catenin. The results were statistically analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and Chi-square test. Results The expression of β-Catenin in the cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus increased from mild-to-moderate dysplasia to OSMF and to severe epithelial dysplasia in an increasing order. The expression is seen to translocate from membranous to cytoplasm to nucleus indicating a proliferative potential in these group of lesions. Conclusion β-catenin is a promising marker which indicates the malignant transformation potential in the higher grades of dysplasia and OSMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritha Chowdhury
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Private Practitioner, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - B R Nagamalini
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, A.E.C.S. Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India
| | - Jaya Singh
- Senior Resident, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - B K Ashwini
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, A.E.C.S. Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India
| | - Sharada
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, A.E.C.S. Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India
| | - Uma Swaminathan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, A.E.C.S. Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India
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Donmez HG. β-Catenin immunocytochemical reactivity in cervicovaginal smears during regular menstrual cycles. ASIAN BIOMED 2020; 14:187-194. [PMID: 37551267 PMCID: PMC10373400 DOI: 10.1515/abm-2020-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Background β-Catenin mediates cellular adhesion and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling mechanism, thereby controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Studies of endometrial tissue suggest that there are differences in β-catenin expression during the course of regular menstrual cycles. However, differences in expression in squamous epithelial cells between the proliferative and secretory phases have hitherto remained unknown. Objectives To localize β-catenin in squamous epithelial cells in cervicovaginal smears during the course of regular menstrual cycles. Methods In this observational study, smears were taken from women (n = 102) with various gynecological complaints. Squamous epithelial cells were stained using a Papanicolaou method to evaluate their cytology and any infection. An anti-β-catenin antibody was used to localize immunoreactivity in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and/or nucleus. Results Women with a regular menstrual cycle (n = 62) were divided into 2 groups: those in a proliferative phase (26/62, 42%) and those in a secretory phase (36/62, 58%). Cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin immunoreactivity was observed prominently in the proliferative phase (19/26, 73%), whereas low-level β-catenin immunoreactivity was seen in the secretory phase (9/36, 25%). Compared with the secretory phase, the mean H-scores for β-catenin immunoreactivity in the proliferative phase were significantly increased in the membrane (P = 0.039), the cytoplasm (P < 0.001), and the nucleus (P = 0.033). By contrast, β-catenin immunoreactivity was reduced from parabasal to superficial cells in both the proliferative and secretory phases. Conclusions Cytoplasmic and/or nuclear β-catenin immunoreactivity may indicate that the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is cycle dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanife Guler Donmez
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Beytepe Campus, 06800Ankara, Turkey
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Paluszczak J. The Significance of the Dysregulation of Canonical Wnt Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030723. [PMID: 32183420 PMCID: PMC7140616 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The knowledge about the molecular alterations which are found in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) has much increased in recent years. However, we are still awaiting the translation of this knowledge to new diagnostic and therapeutic options. Among the many molecular changes that are detected in head and neck cancer, the abnormalities in several signaling pathways, which regulate cell proliferation, cell death and stemness, seem to be especially promising with regard to the development of targeted therapies. Canonical Wnt signaling is a pathway engaged in the formation of head and neck tissues, however it is not active in adult somatic mucosal cells. The aim of this review paper is to bring together significant data related to the current knowledge on the mechanisms and functional significance of the dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in head and neck tumors. Research evidence related to the role of Wnt signaling activation in the stimulation of cell proliferation, migration and inhibition of apoptosis in HNSCC is presented. Moreover, its role in promoting stemness traits in head and neck cancer stem-like cells is described. Evidence corroborating the hypothesis that the Wnt signaling pathway is a very promising target of novel therapeutic interventions in HNSCC is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarosław Paluszczak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, ul. Swiecickiego 4, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
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Morais EF, Pinheiro JC, Lira JA, Mafra RP, Barboza CA, Souza LB, Freitas RD. Prognostic value of the immunohistochemical detection of epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers in oral epithelial dysplasia: A systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2020; 25:e205-e216. [PMID: 31967982 PMCID: PMC7103448 DOI: 10.4317/medoral.23305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) comprise a range of clinical-pathological alterations that are frequently characterized as architectural and cytological derangements upon histological analysis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed as a critical mechanism for the acquisition of the malignant phenotype in neoplastic epithelial processes. This study aims to systematically review the current findings on the immunohistochemical expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in oral potentially malignant disorders and to evaluate their possible application as biomarkers associated with the progression of oral epithelial dysplasias. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and Cochrane Library. Articles that evaluated the relationship between the expression of EMT markers and the degree of oral epithelial dysplasia were selected for the systematic review. The quality of each eligible study was evaluated by independent reviewers that used operationalized prognostic biomarker reporting guidelines (REMARK). RESULTS Seventeen articles met all inclusion criteria and were selected. The EMT markers analyzed exhibited an important association with the prognosis of the cases evaluated. The results showed a progressive increase in the expression of nuclear transcription factors and markers of mesenchymal differentiation, as well as negative regulation of epithelial and cell adhesion markers, according to the stage of oral epithelial dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS The dysregulation of expression of important EMT components in oral dysplastic epithelium is a potential prognostic marker in OPMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E-F Morais
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Department of Oral Pathology Av. Senador Salgado Filho, 1787, Lagoa Nova, CEP 59056-000 Natal, RN, Brasil
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