TY - JOUR
T1 - Epithelial-Immune Cell Crosstalk in Salivary Gland Tumors
T2 - Implications for Tumor Progression and Diagnostic Assessment
AU - Sausa, Martina
AU - Vergilio, Giuseppe
AU - Barone, Rosario
AU - Porcasi, Rossana
AU - Ofori, Prince
AU - Haddad, Fatima Azhraa
AU - Rappa, Francesca
AU - Levi-Schaffer, Francesca
AU - Leone, Angelo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - This study explores immunophenotypic and angiogenic profiles in salivary gland tumors (SGTs), focusing on epithelial–mesenchymal dynamics and immune–stromal interactions. Immunohistochemical analysis of E-cadherin, Vimentin, mast cell tryptase (MCT), CD300a, CK18, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was performed in normal salivary tissue, pleomorphic adenomas (PA), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) to assess epithelial plasticity, mast cell (MC) involvement, and vascular remodeling. Normal glands showed compartmentalized E-cadherin (epithelial) and Vimentin (mesenchymal) expression, with stromal MCs positive for MCT and CD300a. PA exhibited reduced E-cadherin, increased Vimentin, and atypical co-localization of CK18 with MCT/CD300a in ductal cells, indicating immune–epithelial plasticity. SCC displayed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), architectural disruption, and reduced MCT/CD300a. Notably, diminished MCT may reflect either decreased MCs density or prior degranulation, with possible diffuse MCT in stroma. Angiogenic profiling showed maximal CD31 in PA and minimal in SCC, while VEGF peaked in normal tissue, suggesting deregulated angiogenesis. SGT progression involves immune–epithelial plasticity, vascular deregulation, and stromal reprogramming. Immune marker localization within epithelial cells challenges histogenetic models and may inform prognostic assessment and targeted therapeutic strategies.
AB - This study explores immunophenotypic and angiogenic profiles in salivary gland tumors (SGTs), focusing on epithelial–mesenchymal dynamics and immune–stromal interactions. Immunohistochemical analysis of E-cadherin, Vimentin, mast cell tryptase (MCT), CD300a, CK18, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was performed in normal salivary tissue, pleomorphic adenomas (PA), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) to assess epithelial plasticity, mast cell (MC) involvement, and vascular remodeling. Normal glands showed compartmentalized E-cadherin (epithelial) and Vimentin (mesenchymal) expression, with stromal MCs positive for MCT and CD300a. PA exhibited reduced E-cadherin, increased Vimentin, and atypical co-localization of CK18 with MCT/CD300a in ductal cells, indicating immune–epithelial plasticity. SCC displayed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), architectural disruption, and reduced MCT/CD300a. Notably, diminished MCT may reflect either decreased MCs density or prior degranulation, with possible diffuse MCT in stroma. Angiogenic profiling showed maximal CD31 in PA and minimal in SCC, while VEGF peaked in normal tissue, suggesting deregulated angiogenesis. SGT progression involves immune–epithelial plasticity, vascular deregulation, and stromal reprogramming. Immune marker localization within epithelial cells challenges histogenetic models and may inform prognostic assessment and targeted therapeutic strategies.
KW - CD300a
KW - mast cell tryptase
KW - mast cells
KW - pleomorphic adenoma
KW - salivary glands
KW - squamous cells carcinoma
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020303404
U2 - 10.3390/ijms262010199
DO - 10.3390/ijms262010199
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C2 - 41155492
AN - SCOPUS:105020303404
SN - 1661-6596
VL - 26
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
IS - 20
M1 - 10199
ER -