Heparanase mRNA Gene and Protein Expression in Oral Cancer Development and Progression

The human heparanase gene, an endo-beta-D-glucuronidase, has recently been cloned. It functions as an extracellular degradative enzyme that cleaves heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and acts as a critical modulator of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Heparanase RNA probe and monoclonal anti-heparanase antibodies were used to examine the expression of heparanase mRNA gene and protein in epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma-in-situ and/or microinvasive carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Strong signal and expression of both gene and protein were detected in epithelium progressing from dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. Carcinomatous cells at the tumor invasive front showed the highest levels of heparanase mRNA gene and protein. These results suggest that heparanase plays an important role during oral cancer development and progression, and this may have both prognostic and therapeutic implications.