Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in odontogenic cysts.
OBJECTIVE
Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is known to induce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. The expression of EMMPRIN in odontogenic cysts has not been previously studied. This study was done to determine the presence and the variability of EMMPRIN expression in various types of odontogenic cysts.


METHODS
An immunohistochemical study using a polyclonal anti-EMMPRIN antibody was done using 48 odontogenic cyst cases: 13 odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), 18 dentigerous cysts (DCs), and 17 periapical cysts (PAs). Twelve cases of normal dental follicles (DFs) were also included in this study for comparison.


RESULTS
EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was detected in all of the cysts and DFs studied. In odontogenic cysts, EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was generally higher in basal cells than in suprabasal cells. The overall EMMPRIN expression in the epithelial lining of the 3 different types of odontogenic cyst was significantly higher than in the DFs. Overall EMMPRIN expression was also found to be significantly higher in the epithelial lining of OKCs than in the other types of cysts.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed that EMMPRIN is present in odontogenic cysts and DFs. The higher EMMPRIN expression in OKCs suggests that it may be involved in the aggressive behavior of this type of cyst.
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. mali@hsc.edu.kw
Mohammad Abdulhadi Abbas
MA
Ali
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D051926:Basigin / Q000032:analysis*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002648:Child; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000166:cytology; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000473:pathology*; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000473:pathology
D004396:Coloring Agents; D051926:Basigin