Expression of a Tumor Stem Cell Marker (Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1-ALDH1) in Benign Epithelial Odontogenic Lesions.

Abstract

The morphological diversity and different biological behaviors of human lesions has been attributed to the presence of cells with stem cell (SC) characteristics. Among SC markers, ALDH1 has been used in studies investigating different neoplasms and high expression of this marker was associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis in some groups. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence and distribution of SCs based on the expression of ALDH1 in epithelial odontogenic cysts and tumors. The sample consisted of 80 cases (20 dentigerous cysts (DCs), 20 odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), 20 ameloblastomas (AMs), and 20 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs). An immunoreactivity score was obtained from the percentage of positive cells and intensity of immunostaining. A level of 5% (p < 0.05) was adopted for the statistical tests. Immunoexpression of ALDH1 was observed in cytoplasm and nucleus-cytoplasm. The median scores indicated significantly higher expression in OKCs and DCs compared to AMs (p < 0.0001) and AOTs (p < 0.0001). In the tumor stroma and cystic capsule, immunoreactivity was detected in all odontogenic cysts studied and in 85% and 90% of AMs and AOTs, respectively. The expression of ALDH1 suggests the presence of SCs in the odontogenic lesions studied. Epithelial immunoexpression was higher in odontogenic cysts than in odontogenic tumors.

• Authors: Gustavo Alcântara da Trindade, Leorik Pereira da Silva, Pedro Paulo de Andrade Santos, Leão Pereira Pinto, Lélia Batista de Souza
• Journal: Head and neck pathology (Head Neck Pathol) Vol. 16 Issue 3 Pg. 785-791 (Sep 2022) ISSN: 1936-0568 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35349099 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Chemical References

• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family

Topics

• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family
• Ameloblastoma
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Neoplastic Stem Cells
• Odontogenic Cysts
• Odontogenic Tumors