A quantitative ultrastructural study of alterations in the area of the basal cell-stromal interface during experimental oral carcinogenesis.

Because of its topographical location, the basal cell in carcinomas must play a significant role in the invasion of adjacent tissues. We have analysed the proportion of the basal cell plasma membrane in direct contact with the adjacent lamina propria during in vivo oral carcinogenesis. Samples of hamster cheek-pouch mucosa treated with DMBA were assigned to hyperplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma groups using strictly defined histopathological criteria. Electron micrographs of basal cells were subjected to stereological intersection counting to provide estimates of the proportion of the total basal cell membrane in contact with the connective tissue (SSBM,PM). In untreated controls, a mean value of 9% was obtained, whereas, for DMBA-induced hyperplasias, dysplasias and carcinomas, values were 8%, 12% and 16% respectively. Statistically, SSBM,PM values were significantly elevated in dysplasias and carcinomas. The changes in this parameter may reflect an increased motility in the transforming basal cell prior to and concomitant with cellular invasion, and may prove to be of value as a structural indicator of malignant transformation.