title: Lymphangiogenesis and podoplanin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and the associated lymph nodes.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma and in the associated lymph nodes and podoplanin expression in neoplastic cells at the invasive front. In addition, the association of the above parameters with lymph node metastasis was also investigated. We used immunohistochemistry to examine primary tumors and lymph nodes, regardless of metastasis. Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and microvessel density (MVD) were assessed by antibodies D2-40 and CD105, respectively, in intratumoral and peritumoral areas and in lymph node regions. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 expression was evaluated in tumor cells and D2-40 (podoplanin) expression in parenchymal cells found at the invasive front. The majority of cases with nodal involvement presented a high peritumoral LVD. In addition, a strong association of LVD with size and site of primary tumors could also be identified. MVD was statistically associated with metastasis, and a significant association between the lymphangiogenic factors and the density of vessels in the intratumoral region was also seen. The well-differentiated tumors did not express podoplanin. LVD and MVD were higher in metastatic lymph nodes than in nonmetastatic lymph nodes. The enhanced vascular network in metastatic lymph nodes reinforces the previous reports of lymphangiogenesis occurrence in lymph nodes. Moreover, the expression of podoplanin by more undifferentiated tumor cells suggests that this protein could be an indicator of tumor aggressiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sílvia Ferreira
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.forename: Frederico Omar
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Gleber-Netto
authors.forename: Helenisa Helena
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: de Oliveira-Neto
authors.forename: Aline Carvalho
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Mauro Henrique
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Nogueira Guimarães Abreu
authors.forename: Maria Cássia Ferreira
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Aguiar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism*; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000098853:Podoplanin
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C117468:PDPN protein, human; D000098853:Podoplanin