Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한악안면성형재건외과학회)
권호 표지

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON EXPRESSION OF LYMPHANGIOGENIC FACTORS IN ORAL CANCER

구강암에서 림프관형성 인자의 발현에 관한 면역조직화학적 연구

  • Park, Young-Wook (Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University) ;
  • Kwon, Kwang-Jun (Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University) ;
  • Lee, Jong-Won (Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University)
  • 박영욱 (강릉원주대학교 치과대학 구강악안면외과학교실) ;
  • 권광준 (강릉원주대학교 치과대학 구강악안면외과학교실) ;
  • 이종원 (강릉원주대학교 치과대학 구강악안면외과학교실)
  • Received : 2009.12.28
  • Accepted : 2010.01.20
  • Published : 2010.01.29
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Abstract

Background and Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 are involved in tumor lymphangiogenesis. Oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (OMSCC) preferentially metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes, so we investigated the expression and distribution of VEGFR-3 signaling proteins in OMSCC. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples of 18 OMSCC, 10 oral mucosal leukoplakia, and 3 normal oral mucosa were evaluated for expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR-3 by immunohistochemical staining. The presence of lymphatic vessels was determined using D2-40 staining, by which we also measured lymphatic vessel density (LVD). Results: 72% (13/18) and 56% (10/18) of tissue samples showed VEGF-C and VEGF-D immunopositivity in tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. VEGFR-3 was also expressed in most of OMSCC, which was up-regulated when compared with normal mucosa or with leukoplakia. Furthermore, LVD was higher in OMSCC than in leukoplakia. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that autocrine activation of lymphatic endothelial cell via VEGFR-3 by VEGF-C and/or VEGF-D could be involved in progression of OMSCC. Therefore, VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling pathway can be a molecular target for anti-metastatic therapy in OMSCC.

Keywords

References

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