Laminin-5 gamma 2 chain expression is associated with intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 199 - 204
• Main Authors: Marangon Junior, Helvécio, Rocha, Valéria Nazaré, Leite, Camila Ferreira, de Aguiar, Maria Cássia Ferreira, Souza, Paulo Eduardo Alencar, Horta, Martinho Campolina Rebello
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frederiksberg Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2014; Wiley
• Subjects: Actins - analysis; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - chemistry; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cell Count; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins - analysis; Laminin - analysis; laminin-5 γ2; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - chemistry; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; myofibroblast; Myofibroblasts - chemistry; Myofibroblasts - pathology; Neoplasm Invasiveness; oral squamous cell carcinoma; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; tumor budding; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Stomatology; Intensity; Myofibroblast; ENT; Malignant tumor; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Density; laminin-5 γ2; Laminin; Oral cavity disease; Budding; tumor budding; Cancer; oral squamous cell carcinoma; myofibroblast
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/jop.12121

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Laminin‐5 gamma 2 chain (laminin‐5 γ2) is a protein associated to a migratory phenotype in epithelial neoplastic cells. Stromal myofibroblasts also play a significant role in tumor invasion, due to its ability to modify the extracellular matrix. Tumor budding is a morphologic marker of tumor invasion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of laminin‐5 γ2 in OSCC and its association with intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts. Methods Paraffin‐embedded archival samples of 57 OSCC patients were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect laminin‐5 γ2, alpha smooth muscle actin (marker of stromal myofibroblasts), and multicytokeratin (to identify OSCC cells in tumor budding evaluation). Laminin‐5 γ2 expression and its association with intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts were analyzed. Association among intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts was also evaluated. Results Higher laminin‐5 γ2 expression was associated with high‐intensity tumor budding (P < 0.05) and with higher density of stromal myofibroblasts (P < 0.05). Moreover, high‐intensity tumor budding was associated with higher density of stromal myofibroblasts (P < 0.05). Conclusions In OSCC, higher laminin‐5 γ2 expression is associated with high‐intensity tumor budding and with higher density of stromal myofibroblasts, suggesting that this expression is related to the establishment of an invasive phenotype of neoplastic cells and a permissive environment for tumor invasion in this neoplasia.