title: Angiogenic squamous dysplasia-like phenomenon in oral epithelial precursor lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dysplasia, the morphological yardstick of epithelial precursor lesions, is the collective term for a variety of architectural and cytological changes within the altered oral epithelium. Angiogenic squamous dysplasia (ASD), a distinct morphological characteristic in pre-invasive bronchial lesions, describes the presence of capillary tufts that are closely juxtaposed to and projecting into the dysplastic bronchial epithelium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether ASD-like phenomenon occurs in oral epithelial precursor lesions, and to speculate on its relevance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty cases each of mild, moderate and severe oral dysplasia (inclusive of carcinoma-in-situ), and 10 normal oral mucosa (normal controls) were serial sectioned for H and E staining, and for microvessel density (MVD) scoring with CD31, CD34 and CD105. Microcapillary pattern images were digitally captured for 3-D reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral ASD foci consisting of CD31- and CD34-positive capillary loops abutting onto the overlying dysplastic oral epithelium (and causing it to assume an irregular or papillary surface configuration) were identified in moderate (3/20; 15%) and severe dysplasia (13/20; 65%), but not in normal oral mucosa and mild dysplasia. MVD score demonstrated increasing vascularity as epithelium progressed from normal to severe dysplasia (p<0.05). CD105 demonstrated increase neovascularization in all dysplasia grades (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings taken together suggest that: 1. ASD-like phenomenon may be an important intermediary biomarker in oral precursor lesions; and 2. architectural alterations of the entire disturbed mucosa may be a more useful pre-malignancy index.
authors: Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. siarch@um.edu.my
authors: Chong Huat
authors: CH
authors: Siar
authors: V P A
authors: VP
authors: Oo
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Nagatsuka
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nakano
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Ng
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kawakami
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000071063:Endoglin; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface