title: Aberrant proteins in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Confirmation of oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) currently relies on histological analysis, which does not provide clear indication of cancer development from precancerous lesions. In the present study, whole saliva proteins of patients with OSCC (n = 12) and healthy subjects (n = 12) were separated by 2DE to identify potential candidate biomarkers that are much needed to improve detection of the cancer. The OSCC patients' 2DE saliva protein profiles appeared unique and different from those obtained from the healthy subjects. The patients' saliva α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and haptoglobin (HAP) β chains were resolved into polypeptide spots with increased microheterogeneity, although these were not apparent in their sera. Their 2DE protein profiles also showed presence of hemopexin and α-1B glycoprotein, which were not detected in the profiles of the control saliva. When subjected to densitometry analysis, significant altered levels of AAT, complement C3, transferrin, transthyretin, and β chains of fibrinogen and HAP were detected. The increased levels of saliva AAT, HAP, complement C3, hemopexin, and transthyretin in the OSCC patients were validated by ELISA. The strong association of AAT and HAP with OSCC was further supported by immunohistochemical staining of cancer tissues. The differently expressed saliva proteins may be useful complementary biomarkers for the early detection and/or monitoring of OSCC, although this requires validation in clinically representative populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jessie
authors.forename: Jaime Jacqueline
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jayapalan
authors.forename: Kien-Chai
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Zubaidah Haji
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Abdul Rahim
authors.forename: Rosnah Mohd
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zain
authors.forename: Kum-Thong
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Onn Haji
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Hashim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014059:Tongue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C485359:HP protein, human; D006242:Haptoglobins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin
keywords: Biomarker; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Proteomics; Saliva; Two-dimensional electrophoresis