Syndecans are a family of integral membrane proteoglycans that participate
in cell-matrix interactions and growth factor binding. Syndecan-1 expressio
n is induced during keratinocyte differentiation and reduced in squamous ce
ll carcinomas. The purpose of this study was to examine the alteration in s
yndecan-1 expression in dysplastic oral epithelium. Sixty-six oral biopsy s
pecimens (43 epithelial dysplasias, 3 carcinoma in situ and 20 squamous cel
l carcinomas) were studied using immunohistochemical methods. The normal ep
ithelium specimens were highly positive for syndecan-1. Fifteen of 46 dyspl
asias or carcinoma in situ specimens showed negative or weak staining for s
yndecan-1, two of which were totally negative. intermediate and strong stai
ning were observed in 17 and 14 dysplasias or carcinoma in situ specimens,
respectively. Thirteen (65%) squamous cell carcinomas showed negative or we
ak staining for syndecan-1, seven of which were totally negative. Only thre
e carcinomas had a strong syndecan-1 expression. Four of the 34 patients wi
th dysplasia who were followed up developed squamous cell carcinoma. All th
ese dysplasias had weak or totally negative syndecan-1 expression. The resu
lts suggest that the loss of syndecan-1 is associated with dysplastic chang
es in oral epithelium.