<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>It is essential to identify markers that could indicate the presence of early molecular changes in premalignant tissues like oral leukoplakia (OL). CD44 adhesion molecule is not only a stem cell marker, but also determines cell proliferation and migration in malignant processes. The aim of our study was to assess the amount and pattern of CD44 antigen expression by epithelial and mononuclear cells in the lamina propria under OL and their role in premalignant lesions. The current study included 102 cases of OL and ten biopsies from healthy oral mucosa. Immunohistochemical CD44 antigen expression was determined in 34 cases by a standard EnVision imaging system in three points of OL: both edges and centre. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism software version 8.4.0. In OL, statistically significant overexpression of membranous CD44 was demonstrated compared to healthy mucosa (p &lt; 0.0001). The intra-cytoplasmatic CD44 expression of epithelium together with characteristic nuclear changes may be used as a predictive factor for potential malignant transformation of non-homogenous leukoplakia. CD44 expression in mononuclear cells under the basal membrane in OL (p &lt; 0.05) possibly influences the process of premalignant lesion transformation into intraepithelial cancer. Further study of CD44 antigen expression in intra-cytoplasmatic structures is required for better explanation of the role of this glycoprotein.</p></abstract>

It is essential to identify markers that could indicate the presence of early molecular changes in premalignant tissues like oral leukoplakia (OL). CD44 adhesion molecule is not only a stem cell marker, but also determines cell proliferation and migration in malignant processes. The aim of our study was to assess the amount and pattern of CD44 antigen expression by epithelial and mononuclear cells in the lamina propria under OL and their role in premalignant lesions. The current study included 102 cases of OL and ten biopsies from healthy oral mucosa. Immunohistochemical CD44 antigen expression was determined in 34 cases by a standard EnVision imaging system in three points of OL: both edges and centre. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism software version 8.4.0. In OL, statistically significant overexpression of membranous CD44 was demonstrated compared to healthy mucosa (p < 0.0001). The intra-cytoplasmatic CD44 expression of epithelium together with characteristic nuclear changes may be used as a predictive factor for potential malignant transformation of non-homogenous leukoplakia. CD44 expression in mononuclear cells under the basal membrane in OL (p < 0.05) possibly influences the process of premalignant lesion transformation into intraepithelial cancer. Further study of CD44 antigen expression in intra-cytoplasmatic structures is required for better explanation of the role of this glycoprotein.

Expression and Localisation of CD44 Antigen as a Prognostic Factor of Oral Leukoplakia

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

It is essential to identify markers that could indicate the presence of early molecular changes in premalignant tissues like oral leukoplakia (OL). CD44...

Expression and Localisation of CD44 Antigen as a Prognostic Factor of Oral Leukoplakia

Publié en ligne: 08 mai 2021

Pages: 68 - 74

Reçu: 10 juil. 2020

Accepté: 02 mars 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2021-0012

Mots clés
cell-surface glycoprotein, oral precancers, mononuclear cells of lamina propria

© 2021 Madara Dzudzilo et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Expression and Localisation of CD44 Antigen as a Prognostic Factor of Oral Leukoplakia

Publié en ligne: 08 mai 2021

Pages: 68 - 74

Reçu: 10 juil. 2020

Accepté: 02 mars 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2021-0012

Mots cléscell-surface glycoprotein, oral precancers, mononuclear cells of lamina propria

© 2021 Madara Dzudzilo et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
cell-surface glycoprotein, oral precancers, mononuclear cells of lamina propria