Cigarette smoking induces overexpression of c-Met receptor in microvessels of oral lichen planus.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is related to many pathological conditions; however, chemical substances affect the oral cavity first, so it is important to consider its influence on oral mucosa and oral potentially pre-malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of smoking on microvessel density in oral lichen planus. Special emphasis was placed on examining the relationship between the expression of c-Met receptor in blood vessels and smoking habits.

Effect of malaria infection and dexamethasone on spleen morphology and histology.

The purpose of this study was to determine the histopathological changes of the spleen caused by parasite infection and steroid use to investigate pathological effects due to infection in ICR mice. The mice were divided into 5 groups: non-malaria infected mice served as controls, mice with parasite infection only, and the other three groups; mice that were injected with dexamethasone (Dex) only, mice injected with Dex prior to and mice injected with Dex after malaria inoculation. Differences in spleen color between the groups were found.

Hypoxia enhances CXCR4 expression by activating HIF-1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Hypoxia promotes the invasive and metastatic potential of tumour cells. A recent study has shown that the activation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 by lack of oxygen in breast cancer is HIF-1-dependent. We have previously demonstrated that CXCR4 signalling is involved in the establishment of lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

CD151 regulates HGF-stimulated morphogenesis of human breast cancer cells.

We previously demonstrated that CD151 forms a functional complex with c-Met and integrin alpha3/alpha6 in human salivary gland cancer cells. In the current study, we investigated the involvement of CD151, c-Met, and integrin alpha3/alpha6 in the cellular morphogenesis of human breast cancer cells. Knockdown of CD151, integrin alpha3, or integrin alpha6 expression abolished branching morphogenesis.

Anatomical study of the greater palatine artery and related structures of the palatal vault: considerations for palate as the subepithelial connective tissue graft donor site.

Palate is considered as a tissue graft donor site for dental surgical procedures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anatomy of palatal structures, such as greater palatine artery, greater palatine foramen, and incisive fossa, in order to consider their topography at planning the graft dimensions and reduce the potential risk of injury of greater palatine artery. Direct inspection of 41 Thai cadavers was performed.

Stat3 as a molecular target in RNA interference-based treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) has been observed in many human malignancies. Using the sequence-specific RNA interference (RNAi) method to switch off Stat3 expression, it may be possible to arrest cancer growth. In this study, we aimed to identify the most effective sequence of a synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for Stat3 (Stat3-siRNA) and the effect of Stat3 suppression on the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Topography of carotid bifurcation: considerations for neck examination.

Clinical examination and surgical procedures require the knowledge of anatomical structures of such a complex area as neck, especially the developmental anomalies in vascular drainage may occur. The aim of this study was to describe the common carotid artery bifurcation to its surrounding structures to locate it properly by using external and internal landmarks. Measurements were performed on 43 Thai cadavers by the direct inspection method.

Chronic steroid administration does not suppress Plasmodium development and maturation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of constant steroid uptake on the Plasmodium yoelii infection rate and parasite maturation. On the animal model, we examined the effect(s) of dexamethasone (Dx), the general drug used for self-treatment by Thai villagers. Ten female ICR mice were subjected to oral administration of 0.

Hypoxia enhances c-Met/HGF receptor expression and signaling by activating HIF-1alpha in human salivary gland cancer cells.

Hypoxia increases the invasive and metastatic potential of tumor cells. Increased expression of c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-receptor protein in response to hypoxia in thyroid papillary carcinomas is hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) dependent. Both HGF and c-Met are expressed in human salivary gland cancers.

CXCR4 expression is associated with lymph-node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The support mechanisms that are involved in lymph-node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain largely unknown. Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor cells express chemokine receptors and use chemokines to metastasize to the target organ in many malignancies in humans. In this study, we examined the expression and function of chemokines and their receptors in OSCC.

Anti-tumor effect of radiation response by combined treatment with angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Blocking angiogenesis may enhance conventional anticancer treatments such as radiation therapy. In this study, we examined the effects of the angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 on human OSCC cell lines HSC2 and KB, with combining radiation therapy in the nude mouse. We evaluated cell-induced neovascularization with dorsal air sac assay, and selected two cells (HSC2: low, KB: high) with different level of cell-induced angiogenesis.

CD151 forms a functional complex with c-Met in human salivary gland cancer cells.

In this study, we have attempted to elucidate the expression and function of CD151 in human salivary gland cancer cells. CD151 expression was detected in Acc2 and AccM cells, but not in normal tissues and primary cultured epithelial cells derived from human salivary gland. CD151 has been found to function as a molecular linker in the formation of complexes between c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor and integrin alpha3/alpha6.

Constitutive activation of Stat3 correlates with increased expression of the c-Met/HGF receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Stat3 belongs to a family of signal transducers and activators of transcription. Constitutive activation of Stat3 has been observed in many human malignancies. In addition, mutated Stat3 has been shown to possess oncogenic potential on its own, and activation of Stat3 signaling is required for HGF/c-Met-mediated tumorigenesis.