Expression of dendritic and T cells in potentially malignant lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Author(s)

Ana Carolina Amorim Pellicioli

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba
• Defense date: 2016-09-19

Examining board members

Pablo Agustin Vargas; Fernanda Visioli; Fabio de Abreu Alves; Manoela Domingues Martins; Alan Roger Santos Silva

• Advisor: Pablo Agustin Vargas; Lynne Bingle

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) may arise from potential malignant lesions, such as leukoplakia. The immune system plays an important role recognizing tumor precursor cells. However, due to the immunoediting mechanisms cancer cells are able to escape the immune system surveillance. Objective: Evaluate the profile of imature and mature dendritic Langerhans cells (DLC), plasmacytoid dendritic cells (plasmacytoid DC) and T cells in epithelial displasya (OED), proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) and OSCC and correlate these fndings with clinical data available. Study design: Fifty cases of OSCC, 48 of OED and 15 of PVL were immunostained for CD1a, CD83, CD303 and CD8 followed by a quantitative analysis. Results: Analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of CD83 positive cells in OSCC compared with OED group. CD303 positivity was significantly increased in the OSCC group when compared to OED whilst there was no statistical difference in CD8 positivity between OSCC and OED. In the PVL group analysis revealed increased expression of CD1a from hyperkeratosis to severe epithelial dysplasia and decreased expression of CD83 from hyperkeratosis to severe epithelial dysplasia. The expression of CD8 increased from hyperkeratosis to severe epithelial dysplasia. No statisticant correlation was found for clinical data. Conclusion: The numbers of mature DLC were decreased in OSCC compared with OED lesions suggesting that maybe these cells might have migrated to lymph nodes to present the tumour antigen and activate the immune system. The numbers of plasmacytoid DC was significantly increased in the OSCC group compared with the OED group. This suggests they may play an important role in the defence against tumours although it is not clear whether this is promoting or inhibiting malignant progression. In the PVL group, the expression of immature DLC and CD8 T cells suggest that the immune system is vigilant and active, respectively, however the expression of mature DLC suggest that in some extent it is impaired (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/18321-8 - Analysis of the expression of dendritic, Langerhans and T cells in potentially malignant lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Amorim Pellicioli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate