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An Immunohistochemical and Polarizing Microscopic Study of the Tumor Microenvironment in Varying Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors :
Aeman Khalid
Safia Siddiqui
Bharadwaj Bordoloi
Nafis Faizi
Fahad Samadi
Noora Saeed
Source :
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine, Vol 52, Iss 5, Pp 314-322 (2018)
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
Korean Society of Pathologists & the Korean Society for Cytopathology, 2018.

Abstract

Background Invasion of epithelial cells into the connective tissue brings about massive morphological and architectural changes in the underlying stroma. Myofibroblasts reorganize the stroma to facilitate the movement of tumor cells leading to metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine the number and pattern of distribution of myofibroblasts and the qualitative and quantitative change that they cause in the collagen present in the stroma in various grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods The study was divided into two groups with group I (test group, 65 cases) consisting of 29 cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 25 moderately differentiated SCC, and 11 poorly differentiated SCC, and group II (control group) consisting of 11 cases of normal mucosa. Sections from each sample were stained with anti–α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) antibodies, hematoxylin and eosin, and Picrosirius red. Several additional sections from each grade of OSCC were stained with Masson’s trichrome to observe the changes in collagen. For the statistical analysis, Fisher’s exact test, Tukey’s post hoc honest significant difference test, ANOVA, and the chi-square test were used, and p < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results As the tumor stage progressed, an increase in the intensity α-SMA expression was seen, and the network pattern dominated in more dedifferentiated carcinomas. The collagen fibers became thin, loosely packed, and haphazardly aligned with progressing cancer. Additionally, the mean area fraction decreased, and the fibers attained a greenish yellow hue and a weak birefringence when observed using polarizing light microscopy. Conclusions Myofibroblasts bring about numerous changes in collagen. As cancer progresses, there isincrease in pathological collagen,which enhances the movement of cells within the stroma.

Details

Language :
English, Korean
ISSN :
23837837 and 23837845
Volume :
52
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.212a31ede4904ccfa27d77188f4b70f8
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2018.07.17