Amelogenin is a Potential Biomarker for the Aggressiveness in Odontogenic Tumors

Zakaraia, Safa; Almohareb, Mamdouh; Zaid, Khaled; Doumani, Mazen; Seirawan, Mohammad Yaman

doi:10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.5.1375

Amelogenin is a Potential Biomarker for the Aggressiveness in Odontogenic Tumors

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Oral Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

² Department of Oral Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Al sham Private University, Damascus, Syria.

³ Department of Restorative Dental Science, Al Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

⁴ Department of Endodontology, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.

10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.5.1375

Abstract

Amelogenin (AMEL), the major structural protein of the enamel organic matrix, constitutes more than 90% of the
enamel’s protein content, Aberrations of amelogenin are thought to be involved in the oncogenesis of odontogenic
epithelium. The expression of amelogenin is possibly an indicator of differentiation of epithelial cells in the odontogenic
tumors. Aim of the study: Investigating the expression of amelogenin in some odontogenic tumors, using an
anti-amelogenin polyclonal antibody, and then compare it with AMEL expression in tooth buds as control. Materials
and Methods: study sample consisted of 10 formalin-fixed, paraffin- embedded specimens of ameloblastoma,
10 Keratocystic odontogenic tumors, and 10 tooth buds were conventionally stained with hematoxylin-eosin and
immunohistochemically with AMEL polyclonal antibody. Results: All of the odontogenic tumors expressed AMEL
in the epithelial component, Intensity of expression in ameloblastoma and Keratocystic odontogenic tumor was lower,
compared with tooth buds, Statistical analysis indicated a significant differences between the tumors and tooth buds.
Conclusion: Amelogenin can be used as a marker for odontogenic epithelium, and the expression of amelogenin is
possibly an indicator of epithelial cells differentiation in the odontogenic tumors, and therefore in prediction of the
histological behavior of odontogenic tumors.

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