title: Origin of ameloblastoma from Basal cells of the oral epithelium- establishing the relation using neuroectodermal markers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Basal cell layer of the oral epithelium has been rightfully regarded as a potential source of odontogenic tumours and cysts, but, without substantial evidence. Also, whether the basal cell layer retains within it, some properties of ectomesenchyme, which was imbibed during the early embryogenesis and hence its neuroectodermal relation, is not known. Here, an attempt is made to establish the hidden neuroectodermal potential of the oral epithelium, especially the basal layer, by observing the expression of known neuroectodermal markers, NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase), Synaptophysin and CD99. The expression of the same markers has also been studied in Ameloblastoma, connecting it with oral epithelium, in turn establishing basal cell layer as a potential source of Ameloblastoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sections of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue samples of 20 cases of Ameloblastoma and 10 cases of Normal Retromolar mucosa, were stained immunohistochemically with NSE, Synaptophysin, CD99 and also with CK-19 and evaluated for positive expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive reaction was obtained in all the cases of Ameloblastoma and NRM (Normal Retromolar mucosa) with NSE, all the cases of Ameloblastoma and eight cases of NRM with Synaptophysin and in six cases of Ameloblastoma and NRM with CD99. The staining was diffuse and more marked in case of NSE than Synaptophysin and CD99. CK19 staining done to assure that the tissue antigenicity was maintained was positive in all the samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A strong relationship between the neuroectoderm, Ameloblastoma and the basal layer of the oral epithelium is established by the study. It favours the hypothesis that the basal cell layer of oral mucosa may be the sought out culprit in most cases of the Ameloblastomas, especially those occurring in the non-tooth bearing area. This would call for the need to incorporate additional therapy in the form of mucosal striping along with the conventional treatment.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, AECS- Maaruti Dental College and Hospital , 108 Hulimavu Tank Band Road, BTM 6th stage, 1st phase, Off Bannerghatta Road, Kammanhalli (Near Meenakshi Temple) Bangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Nagamalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: B R
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vishnu Dental College , Vishnupur, Bhimavaram, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suneela
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Impression Dental Care , No 102, Elegant Desire, Coles Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Narayan
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Career Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital , 10/44, Vikas Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Balasundari
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shreedhar
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, The Oxford Dental College & Hospital , 10th Mile Stone, Hosur Road, Bommanahalli, Bangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Leeky
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Depratement of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, The Oxford Dental College & Hospital , 10th Mile Stone, Hosur Road, Bommanahalli, Bangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Sadhana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Depratment of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, AECS- Maaruti Dental College and Hospital , 108 Hulimavu Tank Band Road, BTM 6th Stage, 1st Phase, Off Bannerghatta Road, Kammanhalli (Near Meenakshi Temple) Bangalore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
keywords: Ameloblastoma; CD99; CK-19; Ectomesenchyme; IHC; NSE; Neuroectodermal markers; Odontogenic tumours; Synaptophysin