Microplication patterns on human buccal epithelia following radiotherapy: a scanning electron microscopic analysis

Area of Science:

• Oral exfoliative cytology
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Buccal smears offer a non-invasive method to study epithelial cell surface topography.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visualizes detailed surface structures like microplicae and microvilli.
• Radiation therapy can induce morphological changes in epithelial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the surface topographical changes in human buccal smear cells from normal and irradiated tissues.
• To correlate observed surface microplicae patterns with different radiotherapy dose levels.
• To assess the potential of buccal cell surface morphology as an indicator of radiation treatment effects.

Main Methods:

• Human buccal smears were collected from normal, pre-irradiated, and irradiated patients.
• Scanning electron microscopy was employed to examine the surface morphology of exfoliated buccal cells.
• Analysis focused on patterns of microplicae and microvilli on the cell surfaces.

Main Results:

• Normal and pre-irradiated cells exhibited straight, parallel microplicae.
• Early irradiation (24-48 Gy) showed discontinuous ridges and microvillous projections instead of parallel microplicae.
• High-dose irradiation (54-60 Gy) resulted in areas devoid of projections alongside varied microplicae patterns.

Conclusions:

• Surface microplication patterns on buccal cells are sensitive to radiotherapy.
• SEM analysis of buccal smear topography can provide insights into the effects of radiation therapy on stratified squamous epithelium.
• Buccal cell surface morphology serves as a potential biomarker for monitoring radiation treatment response.