title: Twist and Snail expression in tumor and stromal cells of epithelial odontogenic tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to evaluate expression of Twist and Snail in tumor and stromal cells of epithelial odontogenic tumors and to analyze relationships between Twist and Snail expression and between tumor and stromal expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry was performed using Twist and Snail antibodies in 60 ameloblastomas (AMs; 20 solid/multicystic, 20 unicystic, and 20 recurrent), six ameloblastic carcinomas (ACs), 10 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs), and six calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors (CEOTs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher rate of tumor cells strongly positive for Twist was observed in AC compared to the other tumors (P = 0.019). The rate of tumor cells strongly positive for Snail tended to be higher in AC than in AM (P = 0.060). AM and AC showed a higher rate of Twist-positive stromal cells than AOT and CEOT (P < 0.001). Tumor cells of recurrent AM showed stronger expression of Twist (P < 0.001) and Snail (P = 0.001) compared to AM without recurrence. A moderate positive correlation was observed between tumor expression of Twist and Snail (r = 0.376, P = 0.001) and between tumor and stromal expression of Snail (r = 0.334, P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twist and Snail may affect the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in AC and be involved in recurrence of AM. Stromal Twist expression may be associated with aggressive clinical behavior of epithelial odontogenic tumors. A Twist-Snail pathway may participate in the development and progression of odontogenic tumors, and tumor-stroma interaction in odontogenic tumors may be mediated by Snail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Hygiene, Kyungbuk College, Yeongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Ha
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Doo
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1
keywords: Snail; Twist; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; immunohistochemistry; odontogenic tumors