No abstract

Background M2 macrophages are often detected in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which, influenced by hypoxic conditions, appear to have high angiogenesis‐inducing capacity. However, the effects of immunosenescence on tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) and angiogenesis in OSCC are unknown. Methods Fifty‐seven OSCCs were divided into 3 groups (I: <40 years [n = 17]; II: 40‐65 years [n = 20]; III: >65 years [n = 20]). Immunohistochemistry for CD68 and CD163 (TAMs), and CD34 and D2‐40 for microvessel density (MVD), microvessel area (MVA), and total vascular area (TVA) were performed. Results All groups showed similar clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Similar CD68 and CD163 expression, confirmed a M2 phenotype. MVD, MVA, and TVA were similar, however, with significant predominance of blood vessels. No significant correlation between macrophage and angiogenic markers was observed. Conclusions A similar TAM and angiogenesis profile suggests the participation of other mechanisms, instead immunosenescence, in young and elderly OSCC patients.

Further investigation is necessary to achieve better sensitivity values.

Background Laryngeal papillomatosis (LP) is a disease that presents in both juvenile (JLP) and adult patients (ALP). This study correlated papillomatosis characteristics with the Derkay score. Methods Retrospective data and biopsies of 36 patients with JLP and 56 with ALP were collected and separated into groups according to their scores. Results The mean of the Derkay score, in the JLP group was 10.97 and in Group ALP was 8.26. The JLP group presented a more aggressive result than in the adult group (P = .02). In the JLP group, the respiratory difficulty (P = .01) and tracheostomy were correlated to a higher Derkay score (P < .05). Microscopically, the JLP samples presented a higher incidence of atypical mitosis and mitosis above the basal cells layer of the epithelium (P < .05) and these characteristics were correlated with a higher Derkay index (P = .03). Conclusion Findings suggest that ALP and JLP can present different clinical courses and histopathological features. There was a higher degree of LP severity in JLP.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a protein able to bind to carbohydrate patterns on pathogen membranes; upon MBL binding, its' associated serine protease MBL-associated serine protease type 2 (MASP2) is autoactivated, promoting the activation of complement via the lectin pathway. For both MBL2 and MASP2 genes, the frequencies of polymorphisms are extremely variable between different ethnicities, and this aspect has to be carefully considered when performing genetic studies. While polymorphisms in the MBL-encoding gene (MBL2) have been associated, depending upon ethnicity, with several diseases in different populations, little is known about the distribution of MASP2 gene polymorphisms in human populations. The aim of our study was thus to determine the frequencies of MBL2 (exon 1 and promoter) and MASP2 (p.D371Y) polymorphisms in a Brazilian population from Rio de Janeiro. A total of 294 blood donor samples were genotyped for 27 polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene by direct sequencing of a region spanning from the promoter polymorphism H/L rs11003125 to the rs1800451 polymorphism (at codon 57 in the first exon of the gene). Genotyping for MASP2 p.D371Y was carried out using fluorogenic probes. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the prevalence of the MASP2 p.D371Y polymorphism in a Brazilian population. The C allele frequency 39% is something intermediate between the reported 14% in Europeans and 90% in Sub-Saharan Africans. MBL2 polymorphisms frequencies were quite comparable to those previously reported for admixed Brazilians. Both MBL2 and MASP2 polymorphisms frequencies reported in our study for the admixed Brazilian population are somehow intermediate between those reported in Europeans and Africans, reflecting the ethnic composition of the southern Brazilian population, estimated to derive from an admixture of Caucasian (31%), African (34%) and Native American (33%) populations. In conclusion, our population genetic study describes the frequencies of MBL2 and MASP2 functional SNPs in a population from Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of adding new information concerning the distribution of these SNPs in a previously unanalysed Brazilian population, thus providing a new genetic tool for the evaluation of the association of MBL2 and MASP2 functional SNPs with diseases in Brazil, with particular emphasis on the state of Rio de Janeiro.