[Expression of apoptosis-related protein in epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression and significance of apoptosis-related protein p53, Bcl-2, and Bax during the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).


METHODS
The expression was observed in 10 normal oral epithelia, 48 dysplasia epithelia and 42 SCC by immunohistochemical evaluation.


RESULTS
In normal mucosa, the positive rate of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax were 0%, 20% and 60%. In dysplasia epithelia, the positive rate of p53 is increased (P < 0.05), the positive rate of Bcl-2 and Bax remained no significant change (P > 0.05), but the positive intensity in severe dysplasia was higher than in mild group. In SCC, the positive rate of Bcl-2 increased significantly (compared with dysplasia, P < 0.05), while the expression of Bax was decreased with the increase of SCC histological grade. Further analysis showed the correlation was evident in p53 and Bax in dysplasia, and in p53 and Bcl-2 in SCC.


CONCLUSIONS
In dysplasia, p53 gene mutation results in accumulation of dysplasia cells. In SCC, the cooperation of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax results in the progression of SCC. Apoptosis genes could work either independently or cooperatively.
Guan
Weiqun
W
Department of Stomatology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Yu
Shifeng
S
Gao
Yan
Y
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
C494826:BAX protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein