Expression of endoglin (CD105) and its correlation with mast cells across different grades of oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective comparative study
Deep Sharma, Anuradha Ojha, Jiji George, Ankita Singh, Puneet AhujaAbstract
Background:
Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) represents a histopathological spectrum of oral potentially malignant disorders that may progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis. Endoglin (CD105) is a specific marker of neoangiogenesis, while mast cells are known to influence angiogenesis through the release of pro-angiogenic mediators. Evaluating CD105-based microvessel density (MVD) and toluidine blue-stained mast cell density (MCD) may provide valuable insight into the biological behaviour of dysplastic and malignant oral lesions
Aims:
To assess and compare endoglin (CD105) expression and mast cell density across different grades of oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma, and to evaluate their correlation with disease progression.
Materials and Methods:
Histopathologically confirmed cases of oral epithelial dysplasia (mild, moderate, and severe) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (well, moderately, and poorly differentiated) were included. Pyogenic granuloma served as the control group. Immunohistochemical staining for endoglin (CD105) was performed to evaluate mean vascular density, and mast cells were identified using toluidine blue stain. Quantification was carried out in selected hotspot areas under high-power magnification. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests. A
Results:
A progressive increase in Endoglin-positive microvessel density was observed from dysplasia to carcinoma, with the highest values in poorly differentiated OSCC. Mast cell density showed an increase in dysplastic lesions but demonstrated a variable trend with advancing carcinoma grades.
Conclusions:
Angiogenesis, as assessed by endoglin (CD105), increases significantly with disease progression from dysplasia to carcinoma. Mast cells may play a modulatory role in early angiogenesis, though their role in advanced malignancy remains controversial.