title: Expression of β-catenin and AXIN2 in ameloblastomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression status and association of β-catenin and AXIN2 in ameloblastoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 ameloblastoma specimens and 10 normal oral mucosa tissues were enrolled in the study. The protein and RNA levels of β-catenin and AXIN2 were detected by immunohistochemistry staining, Western blot, and real-time PCR analysis. The relationship between β-catenin and AXIN2 protein and clinico-pathological parameters and prognosis was subsequently determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that β-catenin mRNA expression was 1.24-fold higher in ameloblastomas than that in normal mucosa tissues, but AXIN2 mRNA expression was 0.47-fold lower in ameloblastomas than that in normal mucosa tissues (p < 0.05). The Western blot results show that β-catenin and AXIN2 protein in ameloblastomas had a significantly higher level than normal mucosa tissues (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining of β-catenin and AXIN2 protein in ameloblastoma was expressed at a higher level than normal oral mucosa (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AXIN2 and β-catenin play an important role in the tumorigenesis and progression of ameloblastoma.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology Department, Oral Medicine College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 110001 ; Dental Department, No. 463 Hospital of PLA, Shenyang, China 110001.
authors.forename: Zhenhui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology Department, Oral Medicine College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 110001.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Center Laboratory, Oral Medicine College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 110001.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Oral Internal Medicine Department, Oral Medicine College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 110001.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology Department, Oral Medicine College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 110001.
authors.forename: Meisi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology Department, Oral Medicine College of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 110001.
authors.forename: Zhaoyuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: AXIN2; Wnt pathway; ameloblastoma; β-catenin