title: CD56 expression is associated with neuroectodermal differentiation in ameloblastomas: an immunohistochemical evaluation in comparison with odontogenic cystic lesions.
abstract: Ameloblastoma (AB), which is the most common odontogenic tumor, may originate from the dental lamina remnants. The expression of CD56, which is a transmembrane molecule, is associated with neuroectodermal differentiation of the embryonal cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD56 in AB, in comparison with other odontogenic cysts. We used formalin-fixed, paraffi n-embedded specimens from 34 cases of AB, 10 cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT), and 7 cases of dentigerous cyst (DC). We immunohistochemically examined CD56, NeuroD1, and N-cadherin expression in these tumors as compared with the expression patterns of various epithelial markers. Seventy-four percent of AB showed immunopositivity for CD56, and both CD56 and N-cadherin were diffusely positive in the outer columnar cells of AB. The immunopositivities for NeuroD1 and N-cadherin were also observed in the outer cells of AB. None of the DC cases was positive for CD56, whereas half the cases of KCOT were positive. Because CD56 is expressed in the inner enamel epithelium of enamel organs, the outer columnar cells of AB are likely to be the differentiation phenotype of the inner enamel epithelium, which is associated with neuroectodermal differentiation. The aberrant NeuroD1 expression may induce CD56 expression in AB and KCOT.
authors: Pathology Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital and Research Institute, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan. k.kusafuka@scchr.jp
authors: Kimihide
authors: K
authors: Kusafuka
authors: Kumiko
authors: K
authors: Hirobe
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Wato
authors: Akio
authors: A
authors: Tanaka
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Nakajima
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002648:Child; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054258:Neural Plate / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D015820:Cadherins; C093970:NEUROD1 protein, human