BACKGROUND Hypoxia in oral cancer promotes tumoral invasion by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition,leading to aggressive tumor progression.AIM To characterize the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha(...BACKGROUND Hypoxia in oral cancer promotes tumoral invasion by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition,leading to aggressive tumor progression.AIM To characterize the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha(HIF-1α)at the invasive tumor front(ITF)in comparison to tumor islands(TI)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)and to explore its relationship with E-cadherin and Vimentin expression.METHODS Thirty-eight cases of OSCC and five cases of normal oral mucosa(NOM)were included in this study.The ITF was identified based on the region and immune expression of AE1/AE3.Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of HIF-1α,Vimentin,and E-cadherin.The immunostaining was analyzed using an immunoreactive score,and the results were illustrated using immunofluorescence.RESULTS HIF-1αexpression was significantly higher in the TI region compared to the ITF region(P=0.0134).Additionally,a significant difference was observed between TI and NOM(P=0.0115).In the ITF regions,HIF-1αexpression showed a significant correlation with Vimentin expression,with higher levels of HIF-1αassociated with increased Vimentin expression(P=0.017).CONCLUSION Based on the results of this study,HIF-1αappears to play a distinct role in OSCC tumor progression,underscoring the importance of exploring hypoxia-driven changes in cellular phenotype at the ITF of OSCC.Further research is needed to better understand their impact on OSCC prognosis.展开更多
基金Supported by Comisión Sectorial de Investigación Científica(CSIC-Research Group 88180)The Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación/Sistema Nacional de Investigadores(ANII/SNI)The Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas(PEDECIBA),Uruguay.
文摘BACKGROUND Hypoxia in oral cancer promotes tumoral invasion by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition,leading to aggressive tumor progression.AIM To characterize the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha(HIF-1α)at the invasive tumor front(ITF)in comparison to tumor islands(TI)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)and to explore its relationship with E-cadherin and Vimentin expression.METHODS Thirty-eight cases of OSCC and five cases of normal oral mucosa(NOM)were included in this study.The ITF was identified based on the region and immune expression of AE1/AE3.Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of HIF-1α,Vimentin,and E-cadherin.The immunostaining was analyzed using an immunoreactive score,and the results were illustrated using immunofluorescence.RESULTS HIF-1αexpression was significantly higher in the TI region compared to the ITF region(P=0.0134).Additionally,a significant difference was observed between TI and NOM(P=0.0115).In the ITF regions,HIF-1αexpression showed a significant correlation with Vimentin expression,with higher levels of HIF-1αassociated with increased Vimentin expression(P=0.017).CONCLUSION Based on the results of this study,HIF-1αappears to play a distinct role in OSCC tumor progression,underscoring the importance of exploring hypoxia-driven changes in cellular phenotype at the ITF of OSCC.Further research is needed to better understand their impact on OSCC prognosis.