PTEN and α-SMA Expression and Diagnostic Role in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Concomitant Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

Objectives The diagnostic role and correlation between phosphatase and tensin homologue and alpha-smooth muscle actin in oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma with concomitant oral submucous fibrosis was analysed by this case control study. The mechanism by which phosphatase and tensin homologue controls myofibroblast expression was also evaluated. Material and Methods Overall, 10 normal mucosa, 30 oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and 30 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with OSF were stained immunohistochemically with phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Percentage positivity, pattern of expression was statistically compared using Pearson’s Chi-square and Fischer exact tests. The correlation between markers was analysed using Spearman correlation. Results OSF and OSCC affected males predominantly with majority below 40 years and above 40 years of age respectively. Percentage of PTEN positive cells was statistically significant with gender (P = 0.024) and α-SMA distribution of pattern showed a significant correlation with habits (P = 0.018). A significant decrease in nuclear PTEN positivity (P < 0.001) and a gradual increase in α-SMA cytoplasmic expression was noted from NM to OSF and OSCC. A statistically significant weak inverse correlation existed between PTEN and α-SMA. Conclusions A reduced phosphatase and tensin homologue expression in oral submucous fibrosis makes it more prone for malignant transformation. An increase in stromal desmoplasia modifies differentiation, invasive and proliferative capacity of tumour cells. As phosphatase and tensin homologue functions through P-Akt pathway, P-Akt with phosphatase and tensin homologue could be a therapeutic target.

Immuno-histochemical evaluation of CD34 for OLP and OSMF

“…The prospect of OLP and OSMF becoming malignantly has been the subject of intense discussion for more than a century; the erosive variation and OSMF is more prevalent in this regard [ 14 - 17 ]. It might be proposed that one of the contributing factors to the elevated malignant potential of erosive OLP and OSMF is the increase in MVD when compared to the reticular form.…”

“…The chronic, sneaky oral potentially malignant condition (OPMD) known as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) results in fibrosis of tissue, the deposition of collagen and the creation of scar tissue [ 7 - 9 ]. OSMF is widely recognized as an Asian illness, with a particular emphasis on the Indian subcontinent because of the region's high areca nut combined tobacco usage [ 12 , 16 , 17 ]. Progressive OSMF deteriorates oral health and makes it harder to speak and chew.…”

“…Specifically, areca alkaloids cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on the oral epithelium [ 16 ]. Another possibility is that collagen accumulation in the submucosa might lead to tissue hypoxia, which is a cancer-inducing factor [ 17 ]. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are elevated and anti-fibrotic IFN-gamma is decreased when areca nut consumption results in chronic irritation.…”

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Their Functional Mechanisms and Recent Research Progress

“…Inhibition of PI3K activation reduces ECM accumulation, whereas inhibition of Akt expression leads to a reduction of oral submucous fibroblast markers in OSF. 104 TGF-β can activate PI3K/Akt and other Smad-independent signaling pathways to promote wound healing or fibrosis. 105 TGF-β activates PI3K through its receptor or transactivates it through epidermal growth factor and PDGF receptors.…”

“…Journal of Inflammation Research 2021:14 5792 OSF. 104 TGF-β can activate PI3K/Akt and other Smadindependent signaling pathways to promote wound healing or fibrosis. 105 TGF-β activates PI3K through its receptor or transactivates it through epidermal growth factor and PDGF receptors.…”