[The expression of human major histocompatibility complex-I in oral leukoplakia].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of human major histocompatibility complex-I at different degrees of dysplasia leukoplakia, and to investigate local immune status and discuss their associations with oral leukoplakia.


METHODS
The monoclonal antibody of MHC class I antigen was employed in this study. There were 55 oral leukoplakias, 31 primary oral squamous cell carcinomas and 28 histologically normal oral epithelia were detected for the presence of the MHC class I molecule by using immunohistochemistry method.


RESULTS
The MHC class I antigen expression of the severe dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma was significantly lower than that of the normal epithelia (P < 0.05). But their expression did not show statistically difference between the normal epithelia and other groups of oral leukoplakia (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression levels of the MHC class I antigen is reduced in oral leukoplakia, particularly in severe dysplasia oral leukoplakia, it is relevant to the degree of dysplasia.
Wu
Ping-Fan
PF
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Han
Bang-feng
BF
Xia
Hui
H
Yan
Chao-ran
CR
Li
Long-jiang
LJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000235:genetics*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I