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Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Actinic Cheilitis and Lip Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Study
Caroline Alfaia-Silva1, Polyane Caroline Arruda de Farias2, Fernanda de Mello da Silva2
1Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Background:
Actinic cheilitis is a precursor to lip squamous cell carcinoma. How ultraviolet-induced stromal degeneration relates to invasion-related extracellular matrix markers remains unclear. This study investigated basophilic degeneration of collagen, solar elastosis, fibronectin, tenascin-C, and podoplanin in both lesions.
Methods:
Specimens of actinic cheilitis (n = 28) and lip squamous cell carcinoma (n = 28) were analyzed. Collagen degeneration, elastosis, and the immunoexpression of fibronectin, tenascin-C, and podoplanin were quantified using digital image analysis. Associations were evaluated using mixed-effects models.
Results:
Collagen degeneration and elastosis areas were significantly greater in actinic cheilitis (p < 0.001). Lip squamous cell carcinoma exhibited higher stromal fibronectin and podoplanin (p < 0.001), whereas epithelial tenascin-C was higher in actinic cheilitis (p < 0.001). Notably, in both lesions, areas with pronounced collagen degeneration and elastosis were inversely associated with the expression of these invasion-related proteins.
Conclusions:
Actinic cheilitis features marked actinic stromal degeneration, whereas lip squamous cell carcinoma exhibits tumor-driven extracellular matrix remodeling with increased invasion-related markers. These findings highlight distinct stromal microenvironment profiles associated with pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lip lesions.
