title: The regulation of bone turnover in ameloblastoma using an organotypic in vitro co-culture model.
abstract: Ameloblastoma is a rare, odontogenic neoplasm with benign histopathology, but extensive, local infiltrative capacity through the bone tissue it originates in. While the mechanisms of ameloblastoma invasion through the bone and bone absorption are largely unknown, recent investigations have indicated a role of the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand regulatory mechanisms. Here, we present results obtained using a novel in vitro organotypic tumour model, which we have developed using tissue engineering techniques. Using this model, we analysed the expression of genes involved in bone turnover and detected a 700-fold increase in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand levels in the co-culture models with ameloblastoma cells cultured with bone cells. The model described here can be used for gene expression studies, as a basis for drug testing or for a more tailored platform for testing of the behaviour of different ameloblastoma tumours in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Tuula M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.affiliation: Applied Biomedical Engineering, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK; NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fedele
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK; Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK.
authors.forename: Vehid M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Salih
keywords: Ameloblastoma; bone turnover; cancer; collagen; in vitro