Evaluation of Collagen in Leukoplakia, Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas Using Polarizing Microscopy and Immunohistochemistry

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Desh Bhagat Dental College and Hospital, Mandigobindgarh, Punjab, India.

2 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College, Barwala, Haryana, India.

3 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, BJS Dental College Hospital and Research Institute, Ludhiana, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

4 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Bhojia Dental College and Hospital, Bhud, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India.

5 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, BRS Dental College and General Hospital, Barwala, Haryana, India.

6 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sri Sukhmani Dental College and Hospital, Derabassi, Punjab, India.

Abstract

Objectives: Picrosirius red and MMP are capable of degrading extracellular matrix proteins, expressed in lesions such
as squamous cell carcinomas. The present study was undertaken with an aim to analyze and compare changes in collagen
using Picrosirius red staining under polarizing microscopy and immunohistochemical staining using anti MMP-13 in
samples of oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods:
A total of 70 slides were prepared and divided into 3 groups. Group I comprised 10 slides of normal gingival tissue,
Group II 40 slides of potentially malignant disorders and Group III 20 slides of well differentiated oral squamous cell
carcinoma. Half the slides for each group were stained with Picrosirius red stain and the remainder with antibodies to
MMP-13. Rerults: In Group II, MMP-13 connective tissue expression was greater in OSMF as compared to leukoplakia.
Group III showed elevated expression among 70% of cases. Picrosirius red staining in Group II cases, showed higher
staining Yellow-Orange andGreen-Yellow mature fibers in OSMF than leukoplakia cases while in Group III, 50%
OSCC cases showed Green-yellow stained immature thin fibers. Conclusion: In future, therapeutic measures targeted
against MMP-13 may inhibit collagenolysis to some extent and delay spread of tumors. An easy and reliable method
to determine the state of the stroma in such cases may be Picrosirius red staining with polarizing microscopy.

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