Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine最新文献

Background

The aberrant expression of AARS1 has been linked to tumor progression in various cancers. However, its role and underlying mechanisms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unclear.

Methods

We validated AARS1 expression using databases and cell lines. Prognostic significance was assessed via Kaplan–Meier and Cox analyses. CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and flow cytometry evaluated the effects of AARS1 on HNSCC malignancy. Immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint associations with AARS1 were analyzed using TIMER, CIBERSORT, MCPCOUNTER, and QUANTISEQ. Subsequently, histological staining and western blotting were performed to verify the identified relationship between AARS1 and immune suppression in HNSCC.

Results

AARS1 was significantly upregulated in HNSCC tissues and cell lines. High AARS1 expression predicted poor overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI). Silencing AARS1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and resistance to apoptosis. In the AARS1 high-expression group, decreased CD8⁺ T cell infiltration was observed, along with increased expression of Siglec-15 and ITPRIPL1. These findings suggest that AARS1 might contribute to immune evasion and tumor progression in HNSCC.

Conclusion

Elevated AARS1 expression correlates with poor prognosis, malignant behaviors, and immune infiltration in HNSCC, indicating that AARS1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target.

Backgrounds

Head and neck cancer is among the top ten cancers worldwide, with most lesions in the oral cavity. Oral squamous cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90% of all oral malignancies and is a significant public health concern. Circular RNA and micro RNA, as non-coding RNA, plays an important role in the development of tumor transmission.

Aims

This study attempted to explore the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma from the perspective of non-coding RNA.

Materials & Methods

We found that miR-23a was abnormally elevated in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues. Taking this as an entry point, we searched for the circRNA and downstream target genes of miR-23a's upstream function through bioinformatics prediction. We determined the direct targeting relationship between miR-23a and hsa_circ_0001862, as well as the downstream target genes IRF1 and PPP2R5E, by dual luciferase reporter experiments. We used a series of cell phenotype experiments, such as CCK8, colony formation, scratch and trans-well assays, to verify the influence of each of the above genes on the tongue squamous cell line Tca-8113.

Results

Hsa_circ_0001862 regulates the expression level of miR-23a through sponging. In the occurrence and development of tongue squamous cell carcinoma, the expression level of miR-23a is abnormally increased, which can promote the occurrence and development of tongue squamous cell carcinoma by down-regulating the expression level of its target genes IRF1 and PPP2R5E.

Discussion

The identification of this signaling pathway provides a practical basis for early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Conclusion

The regulatory mechanism of hsa_circ_0001862-miR-23a-IRF1/PPP2R5E axis on the OSCC and the function of downstream target genes that play specific roles.

Background

Oral and plunging ranulas require effective treatment strategies to minimize recurrence; yet no consensus exists on the most effective approach.

Objectives

This systematic review evaluated several treatments for the recurrence of oral and plunging ranulas.

Methodology

A comprehensive search was conducted in five bibliographic databases and gray literature. Randomized and non-randomized studies were included if they investigated treatment approaches for oral or plunging ranulas. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. The primary outcome was recurrence of (1) oral and (2) plunging ranula. For each type of ranula, a random-model frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA) was established for seven treatment strategies: enucleation, micromarsupialization, marsupialization, marsupialization with packing, partial sublingual gland excision, sublingual gland excision, and sublingual gland excision plus submandibular gland excision. A minimal important difference (MID) and the GRADE approach for NMA were used for interpretation of data.

Results

Eighteen studies were included (all non-randomized—14 for oral ranula and six for plunging ranula). No treatment demonstrated clear superiority in preventing recurrence. Certainty of evidence was low to very low for oral ranulas and very low for plunging ranulas, primarily due to the risk of bias, imprecision, and intransitivity.

Conclusions

Given the low certainty of evidence, no single treatment can be considered superior to others. Future research should prioritize longer follow-up randomized controlled trials.

Background

Marginal gingival leukoplakias are relatively uncommon and rarely discussed in the scientific literature. Studies suggest they are distinct from other leukoplakias due to aggressive behavior and a strong association with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with marginal gingival lesions.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed 32 patients diagnosed with marginal gingival leukoplakia. Clinicopathological data were extracted. K-means clustering and principal component analyses identified subgroups within the dataset. Histopathological findings were assessed by two oral pathologists using World Health Organization criteria for grading oral epithelial dysplasia.

Results

The lesions predominantly affected older individuals (mean age: 60.4 years), 16 men and 16 women, and exhibited multifocality in 75% of cases. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia was diagnosed in 24 patients (75%), and most lesions were homogeneous (84.4%). Thirteen patients were treated (three scalpel, eight laser, two both), while 19 underwent “wait and see.” Over a 95.4-month average follow-up, 11 recurrences (73.3%) were noted: four after scalpel (80%) and seven after laser excision (70%). Malignant transformation occurred in three cases. The most common histopathological feature was hyperkeratosis (n = 24), and eight cases showed mild, one moderate, and two severe epithelial dysplasia. Cluster analysis revealed five subgroups.

Conclusion

Marginal gingival leukoplakias demonstrate significant heterogeneity but seem to be strongly associated with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. Recurrence is a common outcome, and laser excision might be a better option for lesion control. Close monitoring remains essential for early intervention and improved outcomes.

Background

Oral and maxillofacial pathology (OMFP) is a dental specialty that studies the causes, processes, and effects of diseases in the oral and maxillofacial area, while also contributing to diagnosis and treatment. Its recognition, training, and professional practice vary across the globe. This study aimed to explore the training and professional development of OMFP in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including important issues such as specialty recognition, service regulation, postgraduate education, number of specialists, career opportunities, and perceived barriers.

Methods

An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted, where senior professionals in OMFP from 21 LAC countries were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire via the REDCap web platform.

Results

Experts from 21 countries reported recognition of OMFP as a dental specialty in 76.2% of the countries, with 61.9% offering it as an independent program distinct from oral medicine. Specific regulations for practice were present in 52.4% of the countries, and 33.3% offered postgraduate programs, mainly combining other specialties. The professional activities of participants were diverse, including roles in private practice, universities, research, laboratories, and hospitals. However, 61.9% of participants identified the lack of recognition for multidisciplinary teams as a significant barrier to their practice.

Conclusion

This groundbreaking study provides an overview of key aspects of training, practice, and recognition of OMFP in 21 LAC countries. The findings demonstrate significant variation both within the region and when compared to global studies, providing a crucial foundation for future research in this area.

Background

Myogenic temporomandibular disorder (MTMD) is a complex disorder of the masticatory apparatus. Many nonsurgical treatments have been introduced for treating MTMD chronic pain.

The aim of this study is to test the effect of Nd-YAG laser versus epidermal growth factor (EGF) on painful chronic MTMD through monitoring pain scores and salivary pain mediators' levels.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-seven patients with chronic painful MTMD, refractory to conventional treatments, were included in this study. Group I (n = 13) was treated using Nd-YAG Laser. Group II (n = 14) was treated by intramuscular EGF injections. Pain score using the numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10), salivary nerve growth factor (NGF, mg/dL), and salivary glutamate (Glu, mg/dL) were measured at baseline (day 0), 1, and 3 months.

Results

NRS decreased significantly in both groups at 1 and 3 months compared to baseline. However, group II patients only showed a significant increase in NRS at 3 months compared to 1 month. In response to both treatments, NGF levels decreased significantly at 1 month compared to baseline. However, NGF levels at 3 months were significantly higher than baseline in both test groups. Glu levels showed a significant decrease in group II patients only at 1 and 3 months compared to baseline.

Conclusion

The results of this clinical trial have shown, for the first time, that Nd-YAG laser and EGF intramuscular injection can offer effective non- to minimally invasive treatment options for pain alleviation in chronic MTMD. Salivary NGF is a promising noninvasive sensitive biomarker for chronic painful MTMD. EGF intramuscular injection had a direct effect on salivary Glu levels.

Trial Registration: This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT06044974

Background

This study developed and tested a multi-dimensional model for evaluating the severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) based on the five core symptoms (5Ts) of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs (DC/TMD).

Methods

Study participants were sourced from a university hospital. The 5Ts screener was expanded to include the dimensions of duration, frequency, intensity, and interference with daily activities (5Ts-4D). The 5Ts-4D, along with the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8), and Oral Health Impact Profile for TMDs (OHIP-TMD), was administered to individuals with no (NT), intra-articular (IT), pain-related (PT), and combined (CT) TMDs as determined using the DC/TMD methodology and diagnostic algorithms. Reliability and validity testing were carried out thereafter (α = 0.05).

Results

Among the 324 participants, 13.6% had NT, while 42.9%, 15.7%, and 27.8% were diagnosed with IT, PT, and CT, respectively. The 5Ts-4D demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83–0.95) and moderate-to-good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.51–0.97) across various symptom-dimension combinations. It also showed robust known-group differences (PT, CT, IT>NT) and convergent validity, with strong correlations between global TMD severity, JFLS-8, and OHIP-TMD (r _s = 0.68–0.78).

Conclusions

The 5Ts-4D, with its strong reliability and robust validity, holds promise as a straightforward tool for evaluating TMD symptoms and severity, thereby contributing to more effective management of TMD patients.

Background

Emerging research has identified SPP1⁺macrophages as playing a critical role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the specific mechanism by which SPP1⁺macrophages promote HNSCC progression remains poorly understood.

Methods

The interaction of SPP1 and CD44 between SPP1⁺macrophages and tumor cells was detected by multiplex immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunocytochemistry after co-culture. Flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and spheroid-formation assay were used to detect the stemness of tumor cells. Migration ability of tumor cells was analyzed by Transwell and wound-healing assays. In addition, the PI3K/Akt pathway was verified by western blot. The expression of soluble CD44 and SPP1 in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of SPP1 in macrophages was detected by flow cytometry, western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Results

SPP1 and CD44 formed an interaction between SPP1⁺macrophages and tumor cells in HNSCC. SPP1⁺macrophages released SPP1 to regulate stemness and metastasis characteristics of tumor cells via the SPP1-CD44 axis. Soluble CD44 upregulated SPP1 expression in macrophages and thus, SPP1 and CD44 formed a positive feedback loop between SPP1⁺macrophages and tumor cells in HNSCC.

Conclusions

SPP1-CD44 upregulates stemness and migration abilities of tumor cells in HNSCC. SPP1-CD44 forms an interaction and a positive feedback loop in SPP1⁺macrophages and tumor cells in HNSCC.

Background

Melanoma affects skin and mucosa and can be particularly aggressive when the lesion is an advanced cutaneous tumor or located in the sinonasal or oral mucosa. Reprogramming of energy metabolism has been defined as a hallmark of cancer; so this study aimed to verify the expression of proteins related to metabolism and cellular proliferation.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis with antibodies adipophilin, FASN, GLUT-1, HIF-1α, and Ki-67 was performed in a series of 28 sinonasal melanomas (SM), 16 oral melanomas (OM), and 39 cutaneous melanomas (CM). For CM, 25 cases with matched lymph node metastases were analyzed, while 17 mucosal and 15 cutaneous melanocytic nevi served as controls.

Results

SM showed an increased frequency of undifferentiated cells, necrotic areas, and marked expression of adipophilin in comparison to OM. In metastatic CM, a significant increase of FASN expression was detected. However, the frequency of expression of this protein was not significantly different between primary tumors and their metastasis. Concerning adipophilin expression in CM with or without metastasis, no significant difference was found, whereas the Ki-67 proliferative index was significantly lower in metastatic tumors. Benign melanocytic lesions showed lower expression of all markers.

Conclusion

SM and OM show marked differences in metabolic phenotype alterations since SM are more frequently positive for adipophilin. In CM, the marked expression of FASN in metastatic tumors suggests that these proteins probably contribute to disease progression.