Metallothionein immunoexpression in selected benign epithelial odontogenic tumors.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Odontogenic tumors exhibited variable biologica behaviors. Metallothionein (MT) is correlated with the cellular homeostasis of essential metals, cellular differentiation, and proliferation. The core goals of this study are (i) to report and to compare MT expression among benign epithelial odontogenic tumors; (ii) to correlate MT with cellular proliferation index; and (iii) to evaluate the influence of the inflammatory infiltrate on MT expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ten cases of solid ameloblastomas (SABs), 4 squamous odontogenic tumors (SOTs), 5 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs), and 3 calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors (CEOTs) were subjected to immunohistochemical to anti-MT, anti-Ki-67, and anti-PCNA. Statistical analysis was performed using BioEstat(®) 4.0.

RESULTS:

Metallothionein staining was found to be the highest in the SABs (93.1%), followed by SOTs (52.9%), AOTs (38.4%), and CEOTs (0%). MT staining exhibited statistically significant differences between the SABs and the SOTs (P = 0.0047) and the AOTs (P = 0.0022). A weak-to-strong positive correlation between IMT and IK or IP was observed in SABs and SOTs, whereas a strong negative correlation was observed in AOTs. No differences in IMT, IK, and IP were observed between inflammation groups A and B.

CONCLUSIONS:

The increased MT expression observed in the SABs might be correlated with clinical behavior (local invasiveness and high rate of recurrence). In the SABs and SOTs, MT plays a role in the stimulation of cellular proliferation. In contrast, MT can inhibit cellular proliferation in the AOT. The IMT, IK, and IP are not affected by inflammation.

• Authors: Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues Johann, Patrícia Carlos Caldeira, Giovanna Ribeiro Souto, Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de Abreu, Maria Cássia Ferreira Aguiar, Ricardo Alves Mesquita
• Journal: Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology (J Oral Pathol Med) Vol. 43 Issue 3 Pg. 177-82 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1600-0714 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 24125466 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Ki-67 Antigen
• Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
• Metallothionein

Topics

• Ameloblastoma (chemistry, pathology)
• Cell Proliferation
• Connective Tissue (pathology)
• Epithelial Cells (chemistry, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Ki-67 Antigen (analysis)
• Lymphocytes (pathology)
• Metallothionein (analysis)
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (pathology)
• Odontogenic Tumor, Squamous (chemistry, pathology)
• Odontogenic Tumors (chemistry, pathology)
• Plasma Cells (pathology)
• Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (analysis)
• Skin Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology)