Abstract
Objective This study aimed to preliminarily evaluate the expression of two putative tumor suppressor
proteins, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia deletion gene 7 (CLLD7) and chromosome
condensation 1-like (CHC1L) proteins in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Materials and Methods Expression of CLLD7 and CHC1L proteins was analyzed in 19 OSCC and 12 normal oral
mucosa (NOM) using immunohistochemistry. The percentage of positive cells and intensity
of staining were semiquantitatively assessed and expressed with an immunoreactive
score. The number of positive cells at various subcellular localizations was evaluated
and presented in percentages. The immunoreactivity scores and percentages of positive
cells at various localizations were compared between the normal and OSCC groups with
statistical significance at p-value less than 0.05.
Results According to immunohistochemical analysis, the immunoreactivity scores for both CLLD7
and CHC1L were higher in NOM than those of OSCC. Analysis of CLLD7 localization revealed
predominant nuclear staining at basal and parabasal areas in NOM, whereas more cytoplasmic
staining was observed in OSCC. For CHC1L, nuclear staining was prominent in NOM. In
contrast, significantly increased plasma membrane staining was detected in OSCC.
Conclusion The expression of CLLD7 and CHC1L proteins was reduced in OSCC. Alterations in the
subcellular localization of these two proteins in OSCC were also demonstrated. These
preliminary results suggest that CLLD7 and CHC1L are aberrantly expressed in OSCC.
The precise mechanisms of these putative tumor suppressor proteins in OSCC require
future studies.
Keywords
CLLD7 - CHC1L - immunohistochemistry - oral squamous cell carcinoma - tumor suppressor
proteins