Comparative expression of RANK, RANKL, and OPG in keratocystic odontogenic tumors, ameloblastomas, and dentigerous cysts.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to compare the expression of nuclear factor kappaB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in odontogenic epithelial tumors and dentigerous cysts.

STUDY DESIGN:

The expression of these molecules was evaluated in solid/multicystic ameloblastomas (n = 12) and unicystic ameloblastomas (n = 8), keratocystic odontogenic tumors (n = 19), dentigerous cysts (n = 9), and dental follicles (n = 9) by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS:

In odontogenic epithelium, a similar expression of RANK, RANKL, and OPG was observed in all samples. With regard to stroma, the number of RANK-positive and RANKL-positive cells was higher in solid/multicystic ameloblastomas compared with dentigerous cysts. Dental follicles had lower numbers of RANK-positive, RANKL-positive, and OPG-positive cells than solid/multicystic ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors. The majority of solid/multicystic ameloblastomas (75%) and unicystic ameloblastomas (62.5%) had higher numbers of RANKL-positive than OPG-positive cells. In contrast, 62.4% of keratocystic odontogenic tumors and 100% of dentigerous cysts exhibited a higher content of OPG-positive than RANKL-positive cells.

CONCLUSION:

Our results indicate differences in the RANK, RANKL, and OPG expression in odontogenic epithelial tumors. The imbalance of these factors could contribute to the differential bone/tooth resorption activity in these lesions.

• Authors: Tarcília Aparecida da Silva, Aline Carvalho Batista, Elismauro Francisco Mendonça, Cláudio Rodrigues Leles, Sandra Fukada, Fernando Queiroz Cunha
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod) Vol. 105 Issue 3 Pg. 333-41 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1528-395X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18061491 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• NF-kappa B
• Osteoprotegerin
• RANK Ligand

Topics

• Ameloblastoma (metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Count
• Dentigerous Cyst (metabolism, pathology)
• Epithelial Cells (metabolism)
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Jaw Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• NF-kappa B (biosynthesis)
• Odontogenic Tumors (metabolism, pathology)
• Osteolysis (pathology)
• Osteoprotegerin (biosynthesis)
• RANK Ligand (biosynthesis)
• Root Resorption (pathology)
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Stromal Cells (metabolism)