Alterations in PNA binding of keratinocytes in oral keratosis

Abstract

Changes in the expression of peanut lectin (PNA) were examined in keratinocytes of oral keratosis showing a mixture of hyperortho- and hyperparakeratinized epithelium. In the hyperorthokeratinized epithelium, which was reacted with anti-filaggrin antibody in both granular and cornified cells, PNA bound to the surface of keratinocytes from the spinous layer to the granular layer. Neither anti-filaggrin nor PNA reactions were detected in keratinocytes of the hyperparakeratinized epithelium. After neuraminidase pretreatment, however, PNA staining appeared in all cells, except cornified cells, of both hyperortho- and hyperparakeratinized epithelia. These findings suggest that PNA-binding epitopes in keratinocytes were modified by sialic acid during the hyperparakeratotic process of oral keratosis.

Key words::

• hyperorthokeratosis
• hyperparakeratosis
• neuraminidase
• oral keratosis
• PNA

Acknowledgment

This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) (#13671977, #1659190 and #21592406 to J.O.) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.