[Expression of Smad4 and Smad7 of BMP signaling pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the changes of the expressions of Smad4 and Smad7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue, and to investigate the effects of Smad4 and Smad7 on occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).


METHODS
Seventy-two cases with OSCC which were pathologically confirmed were included in the study. Cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue were taken to make slices. SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Smad4 and Smad7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue. SPSS11.5 software package was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The positive expression rate of Smad4 protein was 69.44% in adjacent normal tissues, and it was 45.83% in oral squamous cell carcinoma(P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Smad4 was lower when the degree of differentiation decreased; The positive expression rate of Smad4 with lymph node metastasis was 22.50%, while it was 65.63% without lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Smad7 protein in adjacent normal tissues was 19.44%, and it was 83.33% (P<0.05) in oral squamous cell carcinoma, the positive expression rate of Smad7 was higher when the degree of differentiation decreased. The positive expression rate of Smad7 with lymph node metastasis was 92.50%, while it was 68.75%(P<0.05) without lymph node metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of Smad4 is significantly reduced in cancer tissues and the expression is lower when the degree of differentiation decreased; the expression rate of Smad4 with lymph node metastasis is lower compared with those without lymph node metastasis. Smad7 has the opposite effect. Loss of expression of Smad4 may contribute to the development and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Over-expression of Smad7 may promote the development and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The inhibition of BMP/Smads signaling pathway may result in the occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma continually. Supported by Science and Technology Development Plan (2010GSF10239) of Shandong Province and Science and Technology Special Project of Shandong Province (2012G0021852).
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, Shandong University. Jinan 250012;China.E-mail:liuduanqin1987@126.com.
Duan-qin
DQ
Liu
Jun
J
Zhang
Hong-ning
HN
Song
Jun
J
Zheng
Xu-xia
XX
Wang
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D051906:Smad7 Protein
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; C497796:SMAD4 protein, human; C497806:SMAD7 protein, human; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D051906:Smad7 Protein