Expression of laminin 332 in vessels of oral squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Objective: 1) To analyze the ?2 chain expression of laminin 332 in the basement membrane of vessels of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the appearance of continuity, to identify possible vascular invasive procedures which are important events in the disease progression. 2) To examine the association between clinical aspects from patients and microscopic findings from lesions. Material and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect ?2 chain of laminin 332 in 16 cases of OSCC; of which, eight were classified as being “Well Differentiated” and eight as being “Moderately Differentiated.” Microscopic aspects were evaluated, including the expression of the molecule in the basement membrane of vessels and the appearance of continuity. Results: 15 cases (93.75%) showed vessels with ?2 chain expression. In OSCC defined as being “Well Differentiated,” 85.71% of lesions presented with loss of vessel continuity of the basement membrane, whereas in OSCC defined as being “Moderately Dif ferentiated,” 10 0% of presented vessels with this aspect. Regarding associations between clinical aspects of patients and integrity of the vascular basement membrane, in OSCC defined as being “Well Differentiated,” positive correlations were observed between loss of continuity and both gender and age >60 years (p < 0.0001). For OSCC defined as being “Moderately Differentiated,” positive associations were observed for being male (p < 0.0001), currently smoking (p < 0.0001) and being <60 years old (p < 0.0 0 01). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the ? 2 chain expression in vascular str uctures is present in OSCC and is associated with more aggressive disease.