Immunoexpression of MMPs-1, -2, and -9 in ameloblastoma and odontogenic adenomatoid tumor.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the expression of metalloproteinases-1, -2, and -9 in solid ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor.


METHODS
A total of 20 cases of solid ameloblastoma and 10 cases of adenomatoid odontogenic tumors were selected and immunohistochemically assessed. Metalloproteinases-1, -2, and -9 immunoexpression and their distribution pattern were noted and semiquantitatively scored. The scores obtained were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 showed a predominant expression in both tumors and was found in stroma and parenchyma. For MMP-2, there was a varied expression, with 80% and 60% of immunoreactive tumor cells in ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor respectively. Regarding stromal cells, 65% of ameloblastomas and 80% of adenomatoid odontogenic tumors showed positivity. There was immunoexpression of the MMP-9 in parenchymal and stromal cells in all cases of both tumors analyzed. A statistically significant difference in the expression of MMP-1 in relation to the expression of MMP-2 and -9 in ameloblastomas (P < 0.001) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that these metalloproteinases are related to growth and progression of tumors analyzed, and particularly in ameloblastoma, its highest aggressiveness may be, in part, a result of the active participation of the stromal cells and their products, such as the MMPs studied.
Ribeiro
B F
BF
Post Graduate Program, Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Iglesias
D P P
DP
Nascimento
G J F
GJ
Galvão
H C
HC
Medeiros
A M C
AM
Freitas
R A
RA
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism*
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1