Immunolocalization of p53, glutathione S-tranferase pi and CD57 antigens in oral leukoplakia

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationshi p between histological epithelial dysplasia, the immunolocaization of p53 a nd glutathione S-transferase pi on the immunolocalization of the CD57 antig en. Materials and Methods: Seventy biopsies were included in the study and the streptavidin-biotin-per oxidase method was used to detect the antigens. Results: The results demonstrated a significant relationship between p53, GST-pi positive staining with moderate/severe epithelial dysplasia. There w as no relationship between p53 and GST-pi. The mean number of CD57+ lymphoi d cells was higher in the lesions with increased epithelial dysplasia and p ositive for GST-pi. No difference was found regarding CD57 immunolocalizati on in leukoplakias positive and negative for p53. Conclusions: As the prese nce of CD57+ lymphoid cells mp indicative of immunosuppression, our study s uggests that the severity af epithelial dysplasia and positive immunolabell ing for GST-pi are associated with local immune response alterations in ora l leukoplakias. Our data also give support to the idea that GST-pi and p53 nl e not time-point related during oral cancer development.