Role of Twist and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in behavior of odontogenic cysts

Abstract

Review: Odontogenic cysts represent 7 to 15% of all maxillofacial lesions. TWIST proteins have essential physiological roles during morphogenesis, tissue healing and fibrosis. TWIST protein attaches to E-box DNA response members to suppress or induce transcription. Also, TWIST expression can stimulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and is associated with bad prognosis. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that has a role in increasing the vascular permeability and angiogenesis which is reported in various lesions. Aim of study:The present study aimed to examine the immunohistochemical labeling of Twist in dentigerous cysts (DCs), odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) and correlate its expression with their angiogenic ability through VEGF expression.Material and Methods: Immunohistochemical localization of Twist and VEGF was evaluated in 10 samples of each DC, OKC, and COC. Results:OKCs showed the highest mean value of TWIST and VEGF expression (13.53±5.52) (14.49±5.14) followed by COCs group (6.01±1.77) (7.51±1.66) while DCs showed the lowest mean value (2.77±.68)(4.35±.68), respectively, with a statistically significant positive correlation between TWIST and VEGF in all cyst groups together and also was observed in each group separately (P-value ≤0.05). Conclusion:Overexpression and significant positive correlation between TWIST and VEGF expression in DCs, OKCs and COCs indicates their important role in pathogenesis of these cysts. Also, indicates their potential link with aggressiveness and invasive growth behavior observed in OKCs. In addition, proper targeting of the EMT process may improve treatment of OKCs. Twist may be also a novel therapeutic target for angiogenesis