Immunolocalization of cell signaling molecules in the granular cell ameloblastoma.
BACKGROUND
Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and Wnt signaling pathway molecules play important roles in cytodifferentiation and cell proliferation. We attempted to localize these signaling molecules in the granular cell ameloblastoma.


METHODS
Four samples of paraffin-embedded ameloblastoma with granular cells were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect basement membrane type heparan sulfate (HS) (JM403), cell surface type HS (10E4), heparanase, Wnt-5a, Wnt-2, beta-catenin, and BMP-4.


RESULTS
In all four samples, strong expression of beta-catenin and Wnt-5a was detected within the granular cells, while BMP-4 expression was weak and Wnt-2 was negative. Immunoreactivities of basement membrane type HS, cell surface type HS, and heparanase were variable within granular cells in ameloblastoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Granular cells in ameloblastoma exhibit abnormal biological behaviors, particularly synthesis and secretion of protein. Synthesis of signaling molecules is upregulated, but secretion is arrested in some cases, while both are lost in other cases.
Sathi
Gul San Ara
GS
Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
Han
Phuu Pwint
PP
Tamamura
Ryo
R
Nagatsuka
Hitoshi
H
Hu
Hailong
H
Katase
Naoki
N
Nagai
Noriyuki
N
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000032:analysis; D000099175:Heparanase
D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005966:Glucuronidase; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; D051176:beta Catenin; D000099175:Heparanase; C525809:BMP4 protein, human; C085389:WNT5A protein, human