Regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway may be related to Regγ in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions

Publication date: Available online 31 December 2018

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Hellen Bandeira de Pontes Santos, Hianne Cristinne de Morais Medeiros, Rodrigo Porpino Mafra, Márcia Cristina da Costa Miguel, Hébel Cavalcanti Galvão, Lélia Batista de Souza

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed and compared the immunoexpression of Regγ, Wnt-1 and β-catenin in ameloblastomas, adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs), and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs).

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty solid ameloblastomas, 20 AOTs, and 30 OKCs were selected for analysis of the immunoexpression of Regγ, Wnt-1, and β-catenin. Each case was semi-quantitatively evaluated in the epithelial component and in their different cellular compartments (membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus).

RESULTS

Ameloblastomas displayed higher cytoplasmic and nuclear Regγ expression in comparison to AOTs and OKCs, as well as higher membrane and cytoplasmic Wnt-1 expression (p < 0.05). β-catenin membrane expression was higher in OKCs compared to ameloblastomas and AOTs (p < 0.05). Nuclear β-catenin expression was higher in ameloblastomas and AOTs than in OKCs (p < 0.05). Cytoplasmic and nuclear Regγ expression in AOTs were positively correlated with nuclear β-catenin expression (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The marked expression of Regγ, Wnt-1, and β-catenin suggests the participation of these proteins in the pathogenesis of the studied lesions. The greater expression of Regγ, Wnt-1, and nuclear β-catenin in ameloblastomas may be related to their more aggressive behavior. Pro-tumor effects of nuclear β-catenin may be counterbalanced by inhibitory pathways in AOTs, justifying their low aggressiveness.

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