O. Tiitta et al., DISTRIBUTION OF TENASCIN IN ORAL PREMALIGNANT LESIONS AND SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA, Journal of oral pathology & medicine, 23(10), 1994, pp. 446-450
The distribution of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein tenascin (T
n) was studied in oral premalignant lesions and squamous cell carcinom
a by using the monoclonal antibody (Mab) 143DB7. In normal buccal and
palatal mucosa, in ventral tongue, in floor of mouth and in gingiva, i
mmunoreaction for Tn was seen to be distributed as a continuous thin,
delicate line merely in the basement membrane region. Hyperkeratosis w
ithout dysplasia showed a distinct zone of enhanced Tn immunoreactivit
y immediately beneath the epithelium. In dysplasias of various degree,
enhancement of the stromal Tn content could be observed, being most c
onspicuous in carcinoma in situ lesions. In most invasive carcinoma ca
ses the Tn immunoreactivity was intense, extending deeply into the und
erlying stroma. In such lesions Tn-reaction often covered the total st
roma, Notably, the strongest immunoreaction was seen at the advancing
edges of the tumor. The triggering factor for stromal Tn enhancement s
eems to be of epithelial origin. The enhanced expression of Tn suggest
s that Tn plays a role in organizing and remodelling the stroma to sup
port active epithelial proliferation and migration. However, it also s
eems that inflammation is associated with Tn expressions.