Assessment of the association of myofibroblasts and structural components of the extracellular matrix with histopathological parameters of actinic cheilitis and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 321 - 330
• Main Authors: Martinez, Farah Essgui Orellana, Bezerra, Thâmara Manoela Marinho, Alves, Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes, Fernandes, Isabelle Joyce Lima Silva, Sousa, Fabricio Bitu, Barros Silva, Paulo Goberlânio, Mota, Mário Rogério Lima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2024
• Subjects: actinic cheilitis; Carcinogenesis; Collagen; epithelial dysplasia; Epithelium; Extracellular matrix; Fibers; Lip; myofibroblast; Squamous cell carcinoma; Transforming growth factor-b; actinic cheilitis; lip; myofibroblast; epithelial dysplasia; squamous cell carcinoma
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/jop.13541

Background
To evaluate the presence of myofibroblasts (MFs) in the development of lip carcinogenesis, through the correlation of clinical, histomorphometric and immunohistochemical parameters, in actinic cheilitis (ACs) and lower lip squamous cell carcinomas (LLSCCs).
Methods
Samples of ACs, LLSCCs, and control group (CG) were prepared by tissue microarray (TMA) for immunohistochemical TGF‐β, α‐SMA, and Ki‐67 and histochemical hematoxylin and eosin, picrosirius red, and verhoeff van gieson reactions. Clinical and microscopic data were associated using the Mann–Whitney, Kruskal‐Wallis/Dunn, and Spearman correlation tests (SPSS, p < 0.05).
Results
ACs showed higher number of α‐SMA+ MFs when compared to CG (p = 0.034), and these cells were associated with the vertical expansion of solar elastosis (SE) itself (p = 0.027). Areas of SE had lower deposits of collagen (p < 0.001), immunostaining for TGF‐β (p < 0.001), and higher density of elastic fibers (p < 0.05) when compared to areas without SE. A positive correlation was observed between high‐risk epithelial dysplasia (ED) and the proximity of SE to the dysplastic epithelium (p = 0.027). LLSCCs showed a higher number of α‐SMA+ MFs about CG (p = 0.034), as well as a reduction in the deposition of total collagen (p = 0.009) in relation to ACs and CG. There was also a negative correlation between the amount of α‐SMA+ cells and the accumulation of total collagen (p = 0.041). Collagen and elastic density loss was higher in larger tumors (p = 0.045) with nodal invasion (p = 0.047).
Conclusions
Our findings show the possible role of MFs, collagen fibers, and elastosis areas in the lip carcinogenesis process.