Human beta-defensin(hBD)-2, an antimicrobial peptide, is produced by various epithelial cells. Because hBD-2 expression in the oral epithelium has not been assessed, we investigated its localization in normal oral epithelium and epithelial lesions. hBD-2 expression was studied using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 30 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 6 cases of leukoplakia. Immunostaining for hBD-2 was more intense in hyperkeratinized than in ortho- or non-keratinized epithelium. In contrast, signals for hBD-2 mRNA were frequently stronger in non-keratinized epithelium than in hyper- or ortho-keratinized epithelium. The results suggest that keratinization in oral epithelium plays an important role in the biological function of hBD-2 both at the mRNA level and in the retention of the peptide in the epithelium.

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How to cite this article: Nakandala K, Suraweera A, Jayasooriya P. Correlation of elevated mast cell and micro-vessel densities with lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. AbstractAim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major health problem in Sri Lanka. Tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system is the tool which is used to determine the extent of surgery in patients with OSCC. However, some patients may receive over-treatment with TNM staging. Mast cells can be found in the oral mucosa. Mast cells secrete different angiogenic factors stimulating angiogenesis which is important in metastasis of tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the mast cell density (MCD) and micro-vessel density (MVD) in OSCC and correlate it with nodal metastasis. Methods:The study sample consisted of one hundred OSCC specimens from patients who were treated surgically with both local excision of the tumor and neck dissections. The sections with OSCC present in achieved biopsies were evaluated for MCD and MVD using toluidine blue stain and a vascular marker (polyclonal rabbit anti-human von Willebrand factor) respectively. The correlation between MCD and MVD with nodal metastasis was statistically evaluated using point bi-serial correlation test.Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between MCD and nodal metastasis (P = 0.003) and MVD and nodal metastasis (P ≤ 0.000). These results indicate that MCD and MVD are significantly higher in OSCC with nodal metastasis. In addition, there was a weak positive correlation with MCD and MVD (r = 0.244) (Linear regression and Pearson correlation test). Higher statistically significant MCDs were observed in the buccal mucosal OSCC compared to OSCC of the tongue (n = 100, P = 0.023). There were no statistically significant differences when MCD and MVD were correlated with age, gender or degree of differentiation of the tumor. Conclusion:Significantly, high MCD and MVD at the advancing front of the OSCC might be used to identify tumors that present with nodal metastasis. With further studies, this finding could be applied to determine the extent of surgery required for patients with OSCC.