Tight junction gene expression in salivary gland tumors.

Salivary gland neoplasms comprise a heterogeneous group of lesions with multiple histological subtypes, each with distinct growth patterns, resulting in a spectrum of tumor-specific prognoses; pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) are the most common representatives of these neoplasms. Many studies have associated specific profiles of membrane and adhesion molecules in salivary gland tissues; these profiles appear to be relevant in tumor biology as well as be interpreted as fingerprints for tumor classification, diagnostic prognostic and therapeutic targets. One of these membrane molecule complexes are the tight junctions, composed by various proteins, in which claudins are protagonists.