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Expression of metallothionein in ameloblastoma. A regulatory molecule?
Author(s) -
Ribeiro André Luis Ribeiro,
Nobre Rafaela Moutinho,
Rocha Gabriela Cristina Marçal Avertano,
de Souza Lobato Isabella Haber,
de Melo Alves Junior Sérgio,
Jaeger Ruy Gastaldoni,
de Jesus Viana Pinheiro João
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2011.01025.x
Subject(s) - ameloblastoma , metallothionein , immunohistochemistry , odontogenic tumor , pathology , biology , carcinogenesis , cancer research , medicine , odontogenic , anatomy , biochemistry , gene , maxilla
J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 40 : 516–519 Background: Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor, exhibiting local invasiveness and high rate of recurrence. Metallothionein is a protein associated with tumorigenesis, serving as prognostic factor in different neoplasms. We are interested in mechanisms underlying ameloblastoma local invasiveness. Thus, we decided to analyze expression of metallothionein in this tumor. Materials and methods: An immunohistochemical evaluation of metallothionein in ameloblastoma was carried out. As control, we assessed expression of the same molecule in calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT), a non‐invasive odontogenic neoplasm with ameloblastomatous epithelium. Results: We studied 12 cases of solid/multicystic ameloblastomas. Metallothionein was observed in all samples. This molecule was observed in columnar cells in the periphery and in central polyhedral cells. CCOT (four cases) also showed the presence of metallothionein. Morphometry of stained areas showed that expression of metallothionein in ameloblastoma was significantly higher compared to CCOT ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions: This protein may have an impact on ameloblastoma behavior. Metallothionein would act as a zinc reservoir for important proteases related to ameloblastoma biology, such as MMPs. This protein could also display pro‐mitotic and anti‐apoptotic features in the tumor.