Amelogenin in odontogenic cysts and tumors: An immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Background:Amelogenins are the major enamel proteins that play a major role in the biomineralization and structural organization of enamel. Aberrations of enamel-related proteins are thought to be involved in oncogenesis of odontogenic epithelium. The expression of amelogenin is possibly an indicator of differentiation of epithelial cells in the odontogenic lesions.Aims and Objectives:The present study aimed to observe the expression of amelogenin immunohistochemically in various odontogenic lesions.Materials and Methods:Paraffin sections of 40 odontogenic lesions were stained immunohistochemically with amelogenin antibodies. The positivity, pattern and intensity of expression of the amelogenin antibody were assessed, graded and statistically compared between groups of odontogenic cysts and tumors.Results:Almost all the odontogenic lesions expressed amelogenin in the epithelial component with the exception of an ameloblastic carcinoma. Differing grades of intensity and pattern were seen between the cysts and tumors. Intensity of expression was uniformly prominent in all odontogenic lesions with hard tissue formation. Statistical analysis however did not indicate significant differences between the two groups.Conclusion:The expression of amelogenin antibody is ubiquitous in odontogenic tissues and can be used as a definitive marker for identification of odontogenic epithelium.

Correlation of amyloid and ameloblast‐associated proteins to odontogenic cysts and tumors: A cross‐sectional study

“…This outcome matched the observations of previous studies [23][24][25][26] In the amyloid deposits of pindborg tumors, ODAM was found as the predominant protein component. 27 It was designated an odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) due to its high expression in enamel-associated epithelia.…”

“…As a result, AMELX is likely an indication of epithelial cell differentiation in odontogenic lesions. This outcome matched the observations of previous studies 23–26 …”

Amelogenin in calcified matrices of odontogenic cysts and odontogenic tumors: An immunohistochemical study

“… 21 Currently, has been proposed that the expression of this protein in the odontogenic epithelium would be a potential biomarker of aggressiveness been mild to moderate intensity in ameloblastoma versus teeth germs and absence of this protein in ameloblastic carcinoma. 8 , 20 Furthermore, the possibility of malignant transformation of CEOT is due to dedifferentiation processes or recurrences, which affect the aggressive behavior of this lesion. 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 …”

“… 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 This protein has been identified in some OCs and OTs. 7 , 8 Amelogenin is secreted by ameloblasts, which are epithelial cells that express different cytokeratins as they differentiate. 9 The expression of multiple cytokeratins in cysts and odontogenic tumors such as CK5/6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, AE1/AE3 has been reported.…”

“… 7 Currently, the role of amelogenin in aggressiveness of OC and OT is controversial, since some studies find no difference in the expression of amelogenin in benign or malignant OT while other authors associate it with greater cell differentiation and less aggressiveness. 7 , 8 , 19 , 20 …”