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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Connexin 43 Expression as Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18

by
Jose Roberto Gutierrez-Camacho
,
Lorena Avila-Carrasco
*,
Idalia Garza-Veloz
,
Joel Monárrez-Espino
,
Maria Calixta Martinez-Vazquez
,
Roxana Araujo-Espino
,
Perla M. Trejo-Ortiz
,
Rosa B. Martinez-Flores
,
Reinaldo Gurrola-Carlos
,
Lorena Troncoso-Vazquez
and
Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro
*
Doctorate in Sciences with Orientation in Molecular Medicine, Academic Unit of Human Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031232
Submission received: 19 December 2024 / Revised: 23 January 2025 / Accepted: 28 January 2025 / Published: 30 January 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Insights into Molecular Pathways and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches)
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the main form of head and neck cancer. Gap junctions (GJs) are communication channels involved in cell proliferation control; they consist of hemichannels formed by connexin (Cx) proteins. The abnormal expression/function of Cx43 has been associated with tumor progression. Also, some human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been linked to squamous cell cancer. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing Cx43 as a potential OSCC biomarker and exploring its association with histopathological differentiation and HPV infection. OSCC samples were inspected using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Cx43 expression and HPV 16/18 were tested by immunofluorescence. Pearson correlation tests, ANOVA, and Kaplan–Meier curves were used in the analysis. Samples from 39 patients with OSCC were studied. Most had well-differentiated histology and 61.5% were HPV+. Cx43 expression was significantly associated with HPV infection (p = 0.047), differentiation (p < 0.001), and survival (p = 0.009), and HPV positivity was also associated with the degree of differentiation (p = 0.012). Cx43 shows potential as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Lower Cx43 expression, correlated with poorer differentiation, is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Further studies are needed to confirm its clinical utility.
Keywords: Connexin 43; oral squamous cell carcinoma; human papillomaviruses Connexin 43; oral squamous cell carcinoma; human papillomaviruses

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Gutierrez-Camacho, J.R.; Avila-Carrasco, L.; Garza-Veloz, I.; Monárrez-Espino, J.; Martinez-Vazquez, M.C.; Araujo-Espino, R.; Trejo-Ortiz, P.M.; Martinez-Flores, R.B.; Gurrola-Carlos, R.; Troncoso-Vazquez, L.; et al. Connexin 43 Expression as Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 1232. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031232

AMA Style

Gutierrez-Camacho JR, Avila-Carrasco L, Garza-Veloz I, Monárrez-Espino J, Martinez-Vazquez MC, Araujo-Espino R, Trejo-Ortiz PM, Martinez-Flores RB, Gurrola-Carlos R, Troncoso-Vazquez L, et al. Connexin 43 Expression as Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(3):1232. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031232

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gutierrez-Camacho, Jose Roberto, Lorena Avila-Carrasco, Idalia Garza-Veloz, Joel Monárrez-Espino, Maria Calixta Martinez-Vazquez, Roxana Araujo-Espino, Perla M. Trejo-Ortiz, Rosa B. Martinez-Flores, Reinaldo Gurrola-Carlos, Lorena Troncoso-Vazquez, and et al. 2025. "Connexin 43 Expression as Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 3: 1232. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031232

APA Style

Gutierrez-Camacho, J. R., Avila-Carrasco, L., Garza-Veloz, I., Monárrez-Espino, J., Martinez-Vazquez, M. C., Araujo-Espino, R., Trejo-Ortiz, P. M., Martinez-Flores, R. B., Gurrola-Carlos, R., Troncoso-Vazquez, L., & Martinez-Fierro, M. L. (2025). Connexin 43 Expression as Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(3), 1232. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031232

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