[Alteration of CD44v3 and CD44v6 expression in oral premalignant epithelia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of CD44v3 and CD44v6 in oral premalignant epithelia and its relationship to the carcinogenesis of oral mucosa.


METHODS
85 normal, hyperplastic, dysplastic and malignant oral epithelia were studied by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Normal and hyperplastic epithelia showed strong CD44v3, v6 staining on cell membrane. Cells in the deep layers of moderate and severe dysplastic epithelia showed remarkably reduced staining intensity or no positive staining as compared with normal and hyperplastic epithelia. This down-regulation of CD44v3, v6 expression was noted in all 12 cases of severe dysplasia. In invasive front of squamous cell carcinoma and some metastases to lymphnode CD44v3 and v6 staining were also weak or negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Low level expression of CD44v3 and v6 exists in moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia. This may be related to the reduction of cellular adhesion and thereby facilitates the infiltration of basement membrane by dysplastic cells.
Gao
Y
Y
School of Stomatology, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100081.
Liu
J
J
Pang
S
S
D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
C121450:CD44V3,8-10; C112697:CD44v6 antigen; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors