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Evaluation of PTEN Immunoexpression in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Role in Pathogenesis and Malignant Transformation

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Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating disease and a premalignant condition of the oral cavity characterized by generalized submucosal fibrosis. Despite its precancerous nature, the molecular biology regarding its malignant potential has not been extensively studied. PTEN, a known tumor suppressor gene is mutated in a majority of human cancers and has also been implicated in several fibrotic disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the expression of PTEN in OSMF and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and correlate it with the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of OSMF. 60 cases total of OSMF (30) and OSCC (30) were subjected to immunohistochemistry using PTEN antibody. Ten normal oral mucosa (NOM) specimens were also stained as controls. There was progressive loss of PTEN expression from normal mucosa to OSMF and OSCC (p ≤ 0.001). Significant differences were observed for PTEN expression between NOM and OSMF, OSMF and OSCC as well as NOM and OSCC. Though a progressive loss of PTEN was noticed between early OSMF and advanced OSMF, the variation did not reach statistical significance (p ≥ 0.001). Data suggest that there is a significant loss of PTEN expression in OSMF as compared to normal oral mucosa and that this trend increased from OSMF to OSCC. Thus, alteration of PTEN is likely an important molecular event in OSMF pathogenesis and oral carcinogenesis.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mr. Mallapur for assisting us with statistical analyses, Mr. Justin from Biogenex Company for his technical support and gratefully acknowledge Patricia J. Kelly, Associate Dean for Research, University of Missouri-Kansas City for the assistance in manuscript preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, KLEVK Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Belgaum, 590010, Karnataka, India

    Punnya V. Angadi

  2. Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, KLEVK Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Belgaum, 590010, Karnataka, India

    Punnya V. Angadi

  3. Department of Oral Pathology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India

    Rekha Krishnapillai

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  1. Punnya V. Angadi
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Correspondence to Punnya V. Angadi.

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12105_2012_341_MOESM1_ESM.jpg

Diagram to demonstrate the possible mechanism of PTEN in the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of OSMF (JPEG 237 kb)

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Angadi, P.V., Krishnapillai, R. Evaluation of PTEN Immunoexpression in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Role in Pathogenesis and Malignant Transformation. Head and Neck Pathol 6, 314–321 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-012-0341-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-012-0341-z

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