Oral squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by high degree of local invasion with metastasis as well as characteristic angiogenic features. Angiogenesis is a critical step in the growth and metastasis of tumors. Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a cell surface glycoprotein which is widely expressed in both physiological and pathological conditions. The study was designed to assess the expression of CD44 (NKI-P1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma associated endothelial cells and to correlate this expression with matrix metalloprpteinase-9 (MMP-9) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF- β) expression immunohistochemically. One hundred fourteen archival oral squamous cell carcinoma cases were used in this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD44 (NKI-P1), Ki-67, cluster of differentiation 31(CD31), podoplanin (D2-40), MMP-9 and TGF- β. Microvessel density was also determined morphologically. Results: CD44 was expressed in (CD31+/ Podoplanin –) blood vascular endothelial cells in a strong cytoplasmic fashion. In addition, the extracellular matrix proteins (MMP-9 and TGF-β were expressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma stroma which was enriched with CD44 + blood vessels. The mean numbers of microvessel density in connective tissue beneath normal epithelium and different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma stroma were 5.8, 22.1, 22.4 and 23.5, respectively with the P-value < 0.05, where a significant statistical difference between microvessel density in the connective tissue beneath normal epithelia and stroma of all grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma was found. Conclusion: CD44 (NKI-P1) is considered a potential marker of oral squamous cell carcinoma angiogenesis and it can be used as a valuable biomarker of tumor invasion and as a therapeutic target for anti-angiogenic therapies.

The current study aims at investigating gap junctions which allow cells to connect with one another. Such process is essential for cell differentiation and the preservation of diverse cell functions. It is noticeable that connexin 43 (Cnx43) was differentially expressed in ameloblasts and odontoblasts in the processes of odontogenesis. Moreover, in carcinoma in situ (CIS) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Cnx43 expression apparently thought to be a defining feature of the neoplastic state of squamous epithelial cells. Aim: Therefore, the study has postulated that Cnx43 may be involved in the pathophysiology of ameloblastoma and certain odontogenic cysts whose epithelial constituents exhibit squamous cells. In order to prove the foregoing hypothesis, the study explored the immunohistochemical profiles of Cnx43 in ameloblastoma as well as some odontogenic cysts to assess Cnx43 trafficking and its relation with characteristic tissue architectures of odontogenic lesions. Results: The study has concluded that Cnx43 was down regulated significantly in follicular ameloblastoma with obvious ameloblasts-like cell components as well as in odontogenic keratocyst with palisaded basal cells. Additionally, other patterns of ameloblastoma (plexiform and desmoplastic) and different types of odontogenic cysts manifest heavy trafficking for Cnx43. Conclusion: Finally, altered Cnx43 expression between various patterns of ameloblastoma and odontogenic cysts might be related to their pathogenesis and is responsible for their morphological diversity.

Background: Injecting botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) into the salivary glands is a common treatment for certain diseases. Green tea's active compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including the reduction of free radicals and inflammation. This study compared the effects of BoNT and BoNT/EGCG on the submandibular salivary glands (SMG) histology and ultrastructure. Methods: Both BoNT and BoNT/EGCG nanoemulsions were injected into the submandibular salivary glands (SMGs) in adult male albino rats, which were then euthanized, and the right SMGs were thoroughly dissected and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and transmission electron microscopic analysis. Results: When compared to the BoNT group, the BoNT/EGCG nanoemulsion group significantly improved SMG acinar and ductal cells using both H&E and immunohistochemical stainings. Ultrastructural findings of the BoNT/EGCG nanoemulsion group revealed marked improvement in the SMG structure, almost normal acini, and striated ducts. Conclusion: Salivary gland histological structures are significantly altered after BoNT administration, but the addition of EGCG causes only minor alterations and can be used to treat hyperfunction.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been considered as an initial diagnostic tool for any swelling in major salivary glands and some minor salivary glands. It has been used by surgeons as a clinical tool to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors of the salivary glands. Superficial location of palatal minor salivary glands makes them most favorable target for FNAC. The surgical intervention is planned depending on the results of cytology. Aims: To establish correlation between cytological and histopathological diagnoses of palatal salivary gland lesions and to examine accuracy of aspiration cytology as an early diagnostic aid using different needle materials (Cobalt Chromium and Stainless Steel). Materials and Methods: Sixty patients presenting with palpable palatal lesions were included over a period from September 2015 to September 2017. FNAC was carried out for all cases and a correlation was conducted between clinical, cytological and histopathological outcomes. Patients were divided into two main groups (n = 30); in Group A, the aspiration was done using a Cobalt-Chromium “Co-Cr” needle, attached to a syringe, while in Group B, it was performed using a stainless steel needle. Results: The results of the FNAC specimens obtained from the 60 palatal lesions were correlated to their histopathological findings. FNAC results – supported by the histopathological investigations - revealed 45 pleomorphic adenomas, 5 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, 2 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 5 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 nonspecific inflammations and one case represented normal salivary gland tissue. With regard to complications of the fine needle aspiration procedure in this study, Co-Cr needles proved better biocompatibility and lower deformity in cells collected than Stainless steel needles. Conclusions: FNAC proved that it can be a simple, reliable, rapid and safe tool for the preoperative diagnostic procedure for palatal salivary gland lesions. Co-Cr needles are superior to Stainless steel needles in FNAC because of its higher biocompatibility.

Background and objectives: Tumor angiogenesis and inflammation terms are intricately linked to cancer progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which controls special occasions in angiogenesis of pathological conditions that are involved in the metabolic functions of cancer cells, is examined in conjunction with the inflammatory cytokine inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in parenchymal together with stromal cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as well as assessing microvessel density (MVD). Methods: Immunohistochemistry will be applied to analyze the appearance of VEGF, iNOS as well as CD31 within 31 OSCCs paraffin blocks, which comprised of 13 well differentiated, 10 moderately differentiated, and 8 poorly differentiated (paraffin blocks OSCC). Results: Both VEGF and iNOS exhibit strong expression in both parenchymal and stromal cells in all grades of OSCC together with increased MVD. Conclusion: The discriminating expression of VEGF and iNOS from well to poorly differentiated OSCC potentially correlates with its increased invasiveness. Key words: VEGF, iNOS, parenchymal, stromal, OSCC

Background/Objectives: The interaction between malignant cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical driver of tumor invasion. ECM remodeling and desmoplasia characterize the tumor microenvironment, facilitating both stromal fibrosis and malignant progression. This study was conducted to evaluate plasma cell infiltration across distinct stromal patterns in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and investigate its association with stromal desmoplasia and immune evasion. Methods: A total of eighty-seven cases that were histopathologically diagnosed as OSCC were included in the study. Immunohistochemical staining for IgG4, CD138, VEGF, TGF-β 1, and CD31 was performed on deparaffinized tissue sections, and the plasma cell count was determined. Results: Distinct stromal architectural patterns were observed across different grades of OSCC. Stromal desmoplasia initiated with inflammatory cell infiltration into the stroma at an early stage, followed by infiltration of the dense collagenous stroma; both revealed dense plasma cell infiltrates. However, the difference in plasma cell density between OSCC grades was not shown to be statistically significant using the chi-square test and ANOVA (p = 0.761 and p = 0.152, respectively). Conclusions: Stromal desmoplasia and immune evasion are associated with dense plasma cell infiltration, suggesting that these cells may serve as a potential prognostic indicator of the invasive progression in OSCC.