Expression of Galectins 1, 3 and 9 in normal oral epithelium, oral squamous papilloma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Main Authors: Thais Ayako Hossaka, Daniel A Ribeiro, Gustavo Focchi, Sabine André, Mariana Fernandes, Fernando Cintra Lopes Carapeto, Marcelo Souza Silva, Celina T F Oshima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: Dental Research Journal
• Subjects: Galectin-1; galectin-3; galectin-9; oral squamous cell carcinoma; oral squamous papilloma
• Online Access: http://www.drjjournal.net/article.asp?issn=1735-3327;year=2014;volume=11;issue=4;spage=508;epage=512;aulast=Hossaka
• ISSN: 1735-3327; 2008-0255

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistochemical expression of galectin 1, 3, and 9 in normal oral epithelium, oral squamous papilloma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for galectins 1, 3, and 9 was evaluated in 8 samples of normal oral squamous epithelium, 15 samples of oral squamous papilloma, and 41 samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical data were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test followed by Dunn′s test. For all analyzes, it was adopted the value of P <0.05 for statistical significance. Results: Significant differences were found in galectin- 3 expression when comparing ordinary mucosa and oral squamous papilloma with the oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. Conclusion: These findings indicate that galectin-3 is closely involved in malignant transformation of oral mucosa cells.