title: Immunohistochemical assessment of CD1a-positive Langerhans cells and their relationship with E-cadherin in minor salivary gland tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of CD1a-positive Langerhans cells and their relationship with E-cadherin in minor salivary gland tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven minor salivary gland tumors were investigated using immunohistochemistry for CD1a and E-cadherin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant difference regarding the mean density of CD1a-positive Langerhans cells was observed between pleomorphic adenomas and malignant tumors studied (P = 0.001). No CD1a-positive cells were detected in most cases (n = 5) of cystic adenoid carcinomas. CD1a-positive cells were detected in one mucoepidermoid carcinoma case, and six low-grade polymorphous adenocarcinomas cases. Comparison of the mean density of CD1a-positive cells between the three malignant tumors showed no significant difference (P = 0.127). No significant difference was observed in the presence of E-cadherin between tumors (P = 0.73), but it was detected in 24 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of CD1a-positive in malignant salivary gland tumors facilitates the neoplastic development and suggests that these cells might be useful as auxiliary diagnostic and prognostic tool in minor salivary gland tumors. Furthermore, it is suggested that E-cadherin mediates cell adhesion in these tumors although we did not demonstrate significance.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oral Surgical Pathology, Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fátima Karoline Araújo Alves
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Dultra
authors.forename: Adna Conceição
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Helenemarie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schaer-Barbosa
authors.forename: Andréia Leal
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Clarissa Araújo Silva
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gurgel
authors.forename: Eduardo Antônio Gonçalves
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: da Silva Carvalho
authors.forename: Jean Nunes
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000473:pathology; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000032:analysis*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis*; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000473:pathology; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D018949:Antigens, CD1; C419393:CD1a antigen; D015820:Cadherins; D004396:Coloring Agents