CROSS-TALK OF PROTEINS RELATED TO INVADOPODIA AND THE INVASION PROCESS IN SALIVARY GLAND MUCOEPIDERMOID CARCINOMA

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the immunoexpression of Tks4, Tks5, cortactin, and MT1-MMP proteins in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). <h3>Study Design</h3> Immunohistochemistry was performed to compare the expression of the 4 proteins in samples of MEC (<i>n</i> = 19) and healthy salivary glands (SG) (<i>n</i> = 10). The immunostaining assessment was performed by measuring the area (in µm) and the fraction (in %) of immunostaining of antibodies using the software ImageJ. The data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post hoc test for different proteins. Spearman correlation test was also performed. <h3>Results</h3> All MEC samples expressed Tks4, Tks5, cortactin, and MT1-MMP. There was a high immunoexpression of the 4 proteins in the MEC samples compared with the SG samples (*<i>P</i> < .05). In neoplastic MEC cells, expression of Tks4 and Tks5 proteins was correlated (*<i>P</i> < .05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> From the data obtained and in view of the important role of these proteins in the formation of invadopodia and in the cell invasion process, the expression of these proteins together in the MEC, as well as the correlation of Tks4 and Tks5, may suggest a possible relationship between these proteins and the invasive behavior of this neoplasm.