Michelle Danielle Porto Matias

Mature dendritic cell density is affected by smoking habit, lesion size, and epithelial dysplasia in oral leukoplakia samples

OBJECTIVEnTo compare the densities of CD1au202f+u202fimmature and CD83+ mature dendritic cells, and inflammatory infiltrate cells between smokers and non-smokers with oral leukoplakia. Parameters associated with malignant transformation were also evaluated.nnnDESIGNn21 smokers and 23 non-smokers diagnosed with oral leukoplakia were obtained. Densities of inflammatory infiltrate cells were calculated in H&E sections. Immunohistochemistry using anti-CD1a and anti-CD83 was performed and densities were calculated. Comparisons and statistical analyses were performed among the groups and parameters as gender, lesion size, site, and presence of cell dysplasia were analyzed.nnnRESULTSnA lower density of CD83+ cells was observed in smokers compared to non-smokers (Pu202f<u202f0.05). For samples of smokers, a lower density of CD1au202f+u202fcells, CD83+ cells, and inflammatory infiltrate cells was observed in samples with <10u202fmm compared to samples ≥10u202fmm of diameter (Pu202f<u202f0.05), and a lower density of CD83+ cells was also observed between samples without dysplasia compared to samples with dysplasia (Pu202f<u202f0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONnIn oral leukoplakia samples, dendritic cell density decreases in the presence of smoking habit, and increases in larger lesions and with epithelial dysplasia. Smoking habit is an external factor that contribute to alteration of the anti-tumoral immune defense system in lesions of oral leucoplakia, reinforcing that smoking elimination is important to control the development of this disease.