title: Myofibroblast stromal presence and distribution in squamous epithelial carcinomas, oral dysplasia and hyperkeratosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stromal elements play a key role in growth and development of different neoplasms. Myofibroblasts are the major components and occur in stromal tissue during carcinogenesis processes. The purpose of this study was to review the frequency and the distribution pattern of myofibroblasts(αSMA-positive) in the stroma of squamous epithelial carcinoma and to compare values with those for with oral dysplasia and hyperkeratosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  we evaluated αSMA protein frequency in hyperkeratosis (N =18), oral epithelial dysplasia (N=18) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (N=18) using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  αSMA-positive expression was observed in 67% of OSCC tissue samples with network and spindle patterns, whereas it was seen in 22% with a focal pattern in dysplasia and in 6% with a scanty pattern in hyperkeratosis cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that an increase in number of myofibroblasts and change in their distribution pattern occurs during carcinogenesis which can be an expression of their role in tumor invasive characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Cellular and Molecular Research Center - Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. sf_seify@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Safora
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seifi
authors.forename: Shahryar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shafaei
authors.forename: Ensieh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shafigh
authors.forename: Seid Mehdi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sahabi
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007642:Keratosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000199:Actins