Evaluation of the p-AKT, p-JNK and FoxO3a function in oral epithelial dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of p-AKT, p-JNK, FoxO3a, and Ki-67 in samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral epithelial dysplasias (OEDs) to understand their possible involvement in the malignant transformation process of oral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue samples of 20 cases of OSCCs, 20 OEDs, and normal oral mucosa were subjected to immunohistochemistry reactions for anti-p-AKT, anti-p-JNK, anti-FoxO3a, and anti-Ki-67 antibodies. It was analyzed using quantitative (number of immunostained cells) and qualitative (immunostaining intensity) parameters in different cell immunostaining sublocations. RESULTS: Nuclear p-AKT was observed significantly greater immunostaining in OSCC (21.2 +/- 19.0) than in dysplasias (7.9 +/- 8.1) and controls (1.8 +/- 4.7) (P = 0.002). Immunostaining of strong nuclear p-JNK was greater in controls (48.3 +/- 13.7) than in OEDs (11.0 +/- 10.3) and OSCCs (1.1 +/- 1.3) (P < 0.001). Strong nuclear immunostaining of FoxO3a proved to be absent in OSCCs (0.0 +/- 0.1) with little staining on dysplasias (3.2 +/- 5.4) and increased expression in controls (13.5 +/- 4.8) (P < 0.001). Immunostaining of strong nuclear Ki-67 was grater in OSCCs (48.1 +/- 49.6) than in OED (11.8 +/- 10.6) and controls (1.9 +/- 2.0) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Malignant process of OEDs in this research may involve the same mechanisms of established malignant lesions.