title: The differential expression pattern of BMP-4 between the dentigerous cyst and the odontogenic keratocyst.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP-4) is widely expressed in oral cavity and involved in tooth morphogenesis, cellular differentiation and proliferation. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in expression pattern of BMP-4 in odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and dentigerous cysts (DC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 77 cysts, OKC (n = 34) or DC (n = 43). The average age of patients with OKC was 29.5 +/- 14.4 and that of patients with DC was 36.1 +/- 19.4. The male to female ratio was 20:14 for OKC and 27:16 for DC. Ten cases of OKC were recurrences. Expression of BMP-4 was determined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intensity scales were (-) for invisible or trace staining, (+) for visible staining, and (++) for dense, strong staining. OKCs exhibited the following staining patterns: the epithelium in 15/34 specimens and the mesenchymal cells in 17/34 specimens showed (++) stain. In contrast, the staining pattern of DC was (-) for epithelium in 37/43 specimens. The mesenchymal cells showed (-) degree staining in 30/43 specimens. The difference between the groups studied was significant (P < 0.001 in epithelium and mesenchymal cells). When recurrent and non-recurrent OKC were compared BMP-4 was expressed more intensely in the recurrent cases (P = 0.036 in epithelium). The difference in BMP-4 expression in mesenchymal cells was not significant. In situ hybridization demonstrated positive mRNA probes to BMP-4 were localized in epithelium and mesenchymal cells of OKCs and DCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BMP-4 was expressed more intensely in OKC when compared with DC, and was more intensely expressed in recurrent cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Korea. epker@chollian.net
authors.forename: Seong-Gon
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byoung-Eun
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: So-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Soo-Kee
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Sam-Pyo
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Je-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology; D008739:Methyl Green; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: C525809:BMP4 protein, human; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D008739:Methyl Green