Study Of The Expression Of DNA Methyltransferases In Oral Verrucous Carcinoma

Objective:Oral verrucous carcinoma(OVC) is a kind of malignant tumor which is different from oral squamous cell carcinoma. It has a unique biological behavior and pathological features. As an epigenetic modification, DNA methylation is an important way to regulate gene expression. DNA methyltransferases(Dnmt) can regulate DNA methylation to affect the gene expression which is closely related to the development of cancer. In this study, aim to provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment, by detecting the expression level of Dnmts in oral verrucous carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC), the possible role of Dnmts and the relationship between Dnmts and OVC will be dicussed. The difference between OVC and OSCC in molecular level will be sought.Methods:59 cases of oral mucosal tissue obtained from surgery were divided into 3 groups according to pathologic diagnosis:19 cases of OVC, aged 26 to 56 years of age; 26 cases of OSCC, aged 35 to 86 years of age; 14 cases of NOM, aged 2 to 65 years of age. The expression of Dnmtl, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b in tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry and the consequences was analyzed statistically.Results:1. For Dnmtl:Dnmtl immunoreactivity in OVC and OSCC groups was significantly higher than in NOM groups (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between OVC groups and OSCC groups (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between exogenic OVC groups and well/poorly-differentiated OSCC groups (p>0.05), cyst-infiltrating OVC groups and well/poorly-differentiated OSCC groups (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in age groups and gender groups(p>0.05). The immunoreactivity was not related with the clinic stage(p>0.05).2. For Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b:Both of the immunoreactivity in three groups was low.Conclusions:1. The expression of Dnmtl in OVC and OSCC groups was significantly higher than in NOM groups.2. Dnmtl may be an important DNA methyltransferase in OVC methylation which may contribute to the carcinogenesis of OVC.