title: Distinct expression of perforin and granzyme B in lip and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perforin and granzyme B (GB) are the main constituents of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte granules, and they have important roles in preventing the initiation and progression of cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to compare the expression of CD8(+) /perforin(+) double-staining and GB(+) cells, by immunohistochemistry, in primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), non-dysplastic leukoplakia (LK), dysplastic LK, actinic cheilitis (AC), oral lichen planus (LP) and normal oral mucosa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed a higher expression of CD8(+) /perforin(+) and GB(+) cells in LSCC when compared with the samples of OCSCC, non-dysplastic and dysplastic LK, AC, oral LP and normal oral mucosa. In addition, increased CD8(+) /perforin(+) and GB(+) cell numbers were observed in all pre-malignant lesions (non-dysplastic LK, dysplastic LK, AC) when compared with the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perforin and GB proteins may contribute to antitumoural immunity, leading to the direct killing of tumour cells; however, it seems to occur more effectively in LSCC than OCSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nádia Lago
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Andréia Souza
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Nathália Caroline
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Souza-Lima
authors.forename: Luís Gustavo
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Jaime-Paiva
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Junqueira-Kipnis
authors.forename: Tarcília Aparecida
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Elismauro Francisco
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Aline Carvalho
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Batista
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D053804:Granzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000378:metabolism; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000378:metabolism; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D054353:Perforin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D054353:Perforin; D053804:Granzymes