Cathepsin K expression is increased in oral lichen planus.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an idiopathic T-cell-mediated mucosal inflammatory disease. Cathepsin K (Cat K) is one of the lysosomal cysteine proteases. It is involved in many pathological conditions, including osteoporosis and cancer.

A novel human leiomyoma tissue derived matrix for cell culture studies.

Background: The composition of the matrix molecules is important in in vitro cell culture experiments of e.g. human cancer invasion and vessel formation.

HOXA10 controls proliferation, migration and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Although HOX genes are best known for acting in the regulation of important events during embryogenesis, including proliferation, differentiation and migration, alterations in their expression patterns have been frequently described in cancers. In previous studies we analyzed the expression profile of the members of the HOX family of homeobox genes in oral samples of normal mucosa and squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and identified differently expressed genes such as HOXA10. The present study aimed to validate the increased expression of HOXA10 in OSCCs, and to investigate the effects arising from its knockdown in OSCC cells.

Anti-heparanase aptamers as potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents for oral cancer.

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase enzyme present in activated leucocytes, mast cells, placental tissue, neutrophils and macrophages, and is involved in tumour metastasis and tissue invasion. It presents a potential target for cancer therapies and various molecules have been developed in an attempt to inhibit the enzymatic action of heparanase. In an attempt to develop a novel therapeutic with an associated diagnostic assay, we have previously described high affinity aptamers selected against heparanase.

Insights into the role of components of the tumor microenvironment in oral carcinoma call for new therapeutic approaches.

The research on oral cancer has focused mainly on the cancer cells, their genetic changes and consequent phenotypic modifications. However, it is increasingly clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to be in a dynamic state of inter-relations with the cancer cells. The TME contains a variety of components including the non-cancerous cells (i.

Cathepsin K is present in invasive oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in vivo and in vitro.

Objectives: Cathepsin K, a lysosomal cysteine protease, is expressed in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of skin carcinoma, but nothing is known about cathepsin K in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). Our aim was to describe the expression of cathepsin K in invasive OTSCC in vitro and in a series of clinical cancer specimens.

Materials And Methods: OTSCC invasion in vitro was studied using invasive HSC-3 tongue carcinoma cells in 3D organotypic models.

HOXA1 is overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinomas and its expression is correlated with poor prognosis.

Background: HOX genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryogenesis. However, members of this family demonstrated oncogenic properties in some malignancies. The present study investigated whether genes of the HOXA cluster play a role in oral cancer.

Minichromosome maintenance 2 and 5 expressions are increased in the epithelium of hereditary gingival fibromatosis associated with dental abnormalities.

Introduction: Gingiva fibromatosis is a relatively rare condition characterized by diffuse enlargement of the gingiva, which is caused by expansion and accumulation of the connective tissue.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate proliferative and apoptotic biomarker expression in normal gingiva and two forms of gingival fibromatosis.

Methods: Archived tissue specimens of hereditary gingival fibromatosis, gingival fibromatosis and dental abnormality syndrome and normal gingiva were subject to morphological analysis and immunohistochemical staining.

Whole-Exome sequencing identifies FAM20A mutations as a cause of amelogenesis imperfecta and gingival hyperplasia syndrome.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) describes a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders of biomineralization resulting from failure of normal enamel formation. AI is found as an isolated entity or as part of a syndrome, and an autosomal-recessive syndrome associating AI and gingival hyperplasia was recently reported. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 2 of FAM20A that was not present in the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism database (dbSNP), the 1000 Genomes database, or the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) Diversity Panel.

Overexpression of HOXB7 homeobox gene in oral cancer induces cellular proliferation and is associated with poor prognosis.

A growing body of evidence has confirmed the involvement of dysregulated expression of HOX genes in cancer. HOX genes are a family of 39 transcription factors, divided in 4 clusters (HOXA to HOXD), that during normal development regulate cell proliferation and specific cell fate. In the present study it was investigated whether genes of the HOXB cluster play a role in oral cancer.

Heterogeneous presence of myofibroblasts in hereditary gingival fibromatosis.

Background/aim: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) fibroblasts are characterized by an increased production of collagen and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), resulting in a fibrotic enlargement of the gingiva of affected patients. A common feature of interstitial fibrosis is the occurrence of myofibroblasts, which are regarded as the predominant cells in matrix synthesis. The goal of this article is to describe the presence of myofibroblasts in HGF in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying HGF gingival overgrowth.