Expression of the serine protease DESC1 correlates directly with normal keratinocyte differentiation and inversely with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression.
BACKGROUND
As part of ongoing studies aimed at identifying the molecular events involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression, we recently isolated a novel serine protease, DESC1. This study was conducted to further characterize DESC1.


METHODS
Specimens of normal, dysplastic, and carcinomatous oropharyngeal mucosa (n = 31) were evaluated for DESC1 immunoreactivity using standard streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase techniques. Between-lesion stain intensity values were analyzed using multiple Wilcoxon tests. DESC1 expression was also evaluated in cultured human keratinocytes after induction of differentiation by calcium challenge, with subsequent real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction quantification.


RESULTS
DESC1 immunoreactivity decreased as lesions approached a malignant phenotype. Post hoc testing comparing the different lesion types and DESC1 staining values showed significance between "normal" and "carcinoma" (p = .0017) groups. Induction of normal keratinocyte differentiation by calcium challenge was accompanied by an increase in DESC1 expression (p = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest downregulation of DESC1 during squamous cell carcinoma progression and upregulation during normal epithelial differentiation.
Sedghizadeh
Parish P
PP
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Dental Anesthesiology, Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, 305 West 12th Avenue, 2196 Postle Hall, Columbus, OH 43218-2357, USA. sedghizadeh.1@osu.edu
Mallery
Susan R
SR
Thompson
Sarah J
SJ
Kresty
Laura
L
Beck
F Michael
FM
Parkinson
E Kenneth
EK
Biancamano
John
J
Lang
James C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases