Role of endo-calreticulin in the malignant transformation of dysplastic cells.

• Grant number: 25/08538-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Andreia Bufalino
• Grantee: Nathalia Caetano Marques
• Supervisor: Tuula Anneli Salo Nee Viitanen
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Helsinki, Finland
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/15059-5 - Role of endo-calreticulin in the malignant transformation of dysplastic cells., BP.DR

Abstract

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are associated with an increased risk of developing and progressing to oral cancer, as they can exhibit varying degrees of epithelial dysplasia. Although OPMDs can transform into malignant neoplasms, predicting their progression remains challenging. Calreticulin (CRT) is a protein involved in various cellular processes and is associated with different types of cancer, showing higher levels in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. However, there are no studies yet on the impact of CRT overexpression on OPMDs and its role in the malignization of these lesions. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effects of CRT overexpression in oral dysplastic keratinocyte (DOK) cells through in vitro assays. The hypothesis is that CRT overexpression promotes the malignant transformation of OPMDs. To test this hypothesis, the methodology includes: cell migration and invasion assay using Myogel and espheroids, also use of zebrafish assay. (AU)