Correlation of cell kinetics and P-cadherin expression with carcinogenesis induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in the rat tongue

Abstract

We did immunohistochemical examinations of the cell growth factor BrdU, cyclin D1 and the cell adhesion molecular P-cadherin (P-CD) during carcinogenesis in the tongue. In normal cells and those with hyperkeratoosis, BrdU and cyclin D1 localized only in the nuclei of basal cells, and P-CD was expressed only in the basal cell membrane. In dysplasia, BrdU was expressed in the basal cells, and cyclin D1 extended to a wide area, including the basal cell layer and spinous cell layer. P-CD was expressed from the basal cells to the spinous cell membrane. In carcinomas, BrdU and cyclin D1 immunoreactive cells were localized in the peripheral layer of the tumor nests. P-CD was expressed in cancer cells except in the tumor nests. The expression of cell growth factor and P-CD corresponded to the development of carcinogenesis.