Immunoexpression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins in ameloblastoma and calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor.
BACKGROUND
Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is essential for the beginning of odontogenesis and may be involved in the development and progression of some odontogenic tumors. Thus, the aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins in a series of AME and CCOT.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical reactions were performed using antibodies against Wnt1, Wnt5a and β-catenin in 17 cases of solid AME and 6 cases of CCOT.


RESULTS
In the AME group, Wnt1 and Wnt5a were identified in the epithelium in most of the cases, and β-catenin was mainly identified in the cytoplasm of the tumoral cells. In the CCOT group, Wnt1 and Wnt5a were identified in the epithelium and in the ghost cells in almost all the cases, and β-catenin was mainly identified in the cytoplasm and in the nuclei of the tumoral cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These results contribute to support the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins in AME and CCOT tumorigenesis. The abnormal expression of cytoplasmic and/or nuclear β-catenin appears to contribute to the development of both AME and CCOT. In addition, it is possible that Wnt1 and Wnt5a expression in ghost cells can contribute to its histogenesis in CCOT.Key words:Ameloblastoma, β-catenin, calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor, immunohistochemistry, Wnt.
PhD, Oral Pathology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba/SP, Brazil.
Sabrina-Nogueira
SN
Dutra
Professor, Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Professor, Post-graduate program in Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil.
Fábio-Ramôa
FR
Pires
Professor, Post-graduate program in Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil.
Luciana
L
Armada
Professor, Patologia Oral, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil.
Rebeca-Souza
RS
Azevedo