Expression of basement membrane components in odontogenic tumors.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to characterize the expression of BMCs (laminins 1 and 5, collagen type IV, and fibronectin) in ameloblastomas, calcifying cystic odontogenic tumors (CCOTs), and adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs).


METHODS
BMCs were analyzed in 14 ameloblastomas, 7 CCOTs, and 7 AOTs using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In normal oral mucosa, linear deposits of these proteins were found at the epithelial-mesenchymal junction, but not in epithelial cytoplasm. In all tumors studied, linear deposits of all proteins were found at the epithelial-mesenchymal junction; laminin 1 was expressed in all tumor cells, regardless of cell types. For CCOTs, laminin 5 was found faintly in suprabasal cells, but expressed strongly in ghost cells. For AOTs, laminin 5 strongly decorated tumor cells adjacent to mineralization.


CONCLUSIONS
Laminin 1 may be a marker for odontogenic epithelium. Additionally, laminin 5 may be involved in ghost cell formation and initiation of calcification.
Poomsawat
Sopee
S
Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. spoomsawat@yahoo.com
Punyasingh
Jirapa
J
Vejchapipat
Paisarn
P
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000032:analysis; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D018333:Odontogenic Cyst, Calcifying / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D000097794:Kalinin
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D024141:Collagen Type IV; D005353:Fibronectins; D007797:Laminin; D000097794:Kalinin; C121346:laminin 1