[The diagnostic significance of isoantigens ABH in oral leukoplakia]

The ABH blood group isoantigens on the cell membrane of leukoplakia (LK) and normal oral tissue, squamous cell carcinoma and hyperkeratosis (HK) as controls were observed in this study and the results showed that there was a significant difference of the antigens in LK from those in normal tissue and HK, whereas, no significant difference between LK and carcinoma. Furthermore, the loss of antigens was in direct proportion with severity of dysplasia. The HRP-WGA technique was used to detect the WGA receptor on the cell membrane of LK, normal tissue and carcinoma. It was found that the receptor was present in the normal tissue, but decreased obviously and even disappeared in carcinoma. It should be emphasized that the receptor in LK also had some changes. Our findings show that when in mild dysplasia, it is possible to provide a clue to determine whether the dysplasia can be reversible through observation of the change of ABH antigens.