Survivin expression in odontogenic keratocysts and correlation with cytomegalovirus infection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, in odontogenic keratocysts and to compare it to the findings in non-neoplastic jaw cysts - periapical cysts, as well as to establish a possible relationship between survivin expression and human cytomegalovirus presence within these cysts.


METHODS
Samples of 10 odontogenic keratocysts (five positive and five negative for the presence of cytomegalovirus, as determined by polymerase chain reaction) and 10 periapical cysts (five positive and five negative for the cytomegalovirus presence) were analysed. The expression of survivin was assessed by immunohistochemical methods, using monoclonal antibody that selectively recognizes the cytoplasmic form of survivin.


RESULTS
All 10 odontogenic keratocysts showed immunostaining for survivin, while all 10 periapical cysts were negative for its presence. There was no correlation between cytomegalovirus presence and expression of survivin within odontogenic keratocysts.


CONCLUSIONS
Survivin may contribute to the aggressive behavior of odontogenic keratocysts, and thus support the emerging opinion of their neoplastic nature.
Andric
M
M
Clinic of Oral Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. miroslav.andric@stomf.bg.ac.rs
Dozic
B
B
Popovic
B
B
Stefanovic
D
D
Basta-Jovanovic
G
G
Djogo
N
N
Andjus
P
P
Milasin
J
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D000077022:Survivin
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D000077022:Survivin