Expression of Ki-67, p53 and p63 proteins in keratocyst odontogenic tumours: an immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, p53 and p63 in Keratocyst Odontogenic Tumours (KOTs) in order to contribute to the biological profile of this tumor.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical technique was performed using the EnVision System in 37 cases of KOTs.


RESULTS
Ki-67- and p53-immunostained cells were mainly located in the suprabasal layers. p63-positive cells were found throughout the lining cystic epithelium. No difference in the immunostaining for these proteins was observed between primary and recurrent KOTs (Ki-67: P = 0.5591; p53: P = 0.9847; p63: P = 0.9127), or between KOTs associated with Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) and sporadic KOTs (Ki-67: P = 0.7013; p53: P = 0.3197; p63: P = 0.2427).


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible that biological behavior of KOTs may be related to suprabasal proliferative compartment in the cystic epithelium as observed by high levels of Ki-67, p53 and p63. In addition, p63 immunostaining may represent immaturity of keratinocytes in KOTs, and suggests that this protein may participate in the regulation of epithelial cell differentiation. Taken together, these data may favor tumorigenesis on KOTs.
Gurgel
Clarissa Araújo Silva
CA
Laboratory of Histopathology of the Gonçalo Moniz Research Center-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Ramos
Eduardo Antônio Gonçalves
EA
Azevedo
Roberto Almeida
RA
Sarmento
Viviane Almeida
VA
da Silva Carvalho
Ana Maria
AM
dos Santos
Jean Nunes
JN
D000906:Antibodies; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000906:Antibodies; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C115051:TP63 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins