title: Relative expression of α-smooth muscle actin and matrix metalloproteinases-2 in ameloblastoma of a black African sub-population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ameloblastoma although a benign odontogenic tumor, is locally invasive. The abundant presence of myofibroblasts (marked by α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) in the stroma and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the neoplastic or stromal cells have been linked with the tumor's ability for both local and distant spread. We aim to estimate the relative expression of α-SMA and MMP-2 in ameloblastoma from a black African subgroup to gauge their relative potential for enhancing local invasiveness and hence, their prospects as possible chemotherapeutic targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of ameloblastoma cases from Nigeria were prepared for antibody processing to α-SMA (Dako Monoclonal Mouse Anti-Human α-SMA antibody clone 1A4) and MMP-2 (Abcam Mouse Monoclonal Anti-MMP-2 antibody [CA-4001/CA719E3C] ab3158). The score for percentage positivity of the tumor cells and the score for staining intensities were then multiplied in order to generate an immunoreactive score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  α-smooth muscle actin was only expressed in the fibrous connective tissues adjacent to the tumor islands while MMP-2 was expressed in the ameloblasts, stellate reticulum, and the connective tissues in varying proportions. All the variants analyzed expressed α-SMA mildly or moderately, except for the follicular variant that either did not express α-SMA or expressed it mildly. The highest number of strong immunoreactivity to MMP-2 in the ameloblast region was found in the plexiform variant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chemotherapeutic targeting of both molecules may, therefore, be a vital step in the control of local ameloblastoma invasiveness.
authors.forename: Akinyele O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adisa
authors.forename: Samuel E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Udeabor
authors.forename: Bukola F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.forename: Kubesch
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alica
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Booms
authors.affiliation: Department for Oral Cranio Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, Medical Center of the Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; REPAIR Laboratory Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany, .
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghanaati
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sader
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D044383:Black People; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009549:Nigeria; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; D000199:Actins; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2