Immunohistochemical analysis of bone resorption regulators (RANKL and OPG), angiogenic index, and myofibroblasts in syndrome and non-syndrome odontogenic keratocysts

Objective The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically analyse bone resorption regulators (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand [RANKL] and osteoprotegerin [OPG]), angiogenic index, and myofibroblasts in Gorlin syndrome-related odontogenic keratocysts (SOKCs) and non-syndrome odontogenic keratocysts (NSOKCs). Study design Twenty-two SOKCs, 22 primary NSOKCs, and eight recurrent NSOKCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-RANKL and anti-OPG antibodies. The angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-CD34 antibody. Anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) antibody was used for the identification of myofibroblasts. Results Analysis of the expression of RANKL and OPG in the epithelial lining and fibrous capsule did not reveal significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). In the epithelial lining, the RANKL/OPG ratio was RANKL 0.05). In the fibrous capsule, the ratio was RANKL = OPG in most primary (81.8%) and recurrent NSOKCs (75.0%) and in most SOKCs (45.5%) (P > 0.05). No significant differences in the angiogenic index or number of myofibroblasts were observed between primary NSOKCs, recurrent NSOKCs, and SOKCs (P > 0.05). Conclusions The present results suggest that differences in the biological behaviour of SOKCs and NSOKCs may not be related to the expression of RANKL and OPG, to the RANKL/OPG ratio, to the angiogenic index, or to the number of myofibroblasts in these lesions

Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in radicular and residual radicular cysts

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed and compared the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in radicular cysts (RCs) and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), relating them to the angiogenic index and the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty RCs and 10 RRCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-VEGF and anti-MMP-9 antibodies. The angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-von Willebrand factor antibody. RESULTS: The expression of both VEGF and MMP-9 was higher in RCs than in RRCs. RCs and RRCs presented strong epithelial expression of VEGF, irrespective of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. Lesions with strong expression of MMP-9 showed significantly higher number of immunopositive cells for VEGF (

Clinical and histopathological study of the oral multifocal melanoacanthoma : a case report

Melanoacanthoma is a blackened mucocutaneous lesion, mainly affecting individuals with dark skin and exhibiting rapid development. Differential diagnosis includes nevus, amalgam tattoo and melanoma. This article reports a case of a 53-year-old white woman, who exhibited multiple blackened lesions on the gingiva and upper lip. After incisional biopsy, the presence of numerous melanin-containing dendritic cells distributed throughout the epithelial thickness, which were S-100 (+), were observed microscopically. Final diagnosis was multifocal oral melanoacanthoma. Follow-up for 28 months has shown appearing of more lesions in gingiva and upper lip. Therefore, the importance of differential diagnosis of oral melanoma with the group of oral pigmented lesions, and possible associated systemic diseases were evaluated

Neoplasias de glândulas salivares menores - estudo retrospectivo de 83 casos

Objetivo: Analisar os achados clínicos e histopatológicos de neoplasias de glândulas salivares menores arquivadas no Serviço de Ana- tomia Patológica da Disciplina de Patologia Oral do Departamento de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Métodos: Dados referentes à idade e gênero dos pacientes e localização anatômica das neoplasias de glândulas salivares menores, diagnosticadas no período de janeiro de 1970 a dezembro de 2007, foram obtidos em fichas de requisição de biópsia. Para o estudo histopatológico, cortes histológicos corados em hematoxilina e eosina foram avaliados sob microscopia de luz. Resultados: Foram identificados 83 casos. Destes, 69,9% acometeram o gênero feminino. Pacientes com neoplasias malignas apresenta- ram maior média de idade (47,6 anos) que pacientes com neoplasias benignas (40,7 anos). Os sítios anatômicos mais acometidos fo- ram: palato (43,4%), mucosa jugal (10,8%), lábio superior (10,8%) e rebordo alveolar (10,8%). Os três tipos histológicos mais frequentes foram: adenoma pleomórfico (38,6%), carcinoma mucoepidermóide (18,1%) e carcinoma adenóide cístico (13,3%). Conclusão: Neoplasias de glândulas salivares menores afetaram com maior frequência o gênero feminino. Pacientes com neoplasias ma- lignas apresentaram maior média de idade ao diagnóstico da condição. O subtipo histológico mais comum foi o adenoma pleomórfico, seguido do carcinoma mucoepidermóide e do carcinoma adenóide cístico. Em conjunto, estas três neoplasias perfizeram 70,0% de todos os tumores diagnosticados

Nonodontogenic cysts of the oral and maxillofacial region - demographic profile in a Brazilian population over a 40-year period

The aim of the study was to determine the distribution of histologically diagnosed nonodontogenic cysts (nOCs) over a 40-year period in a Brazilian population. Biopsy records from patients with nOC from the files of the Oral Pathology Service during the period of 1970–2009 were evaluated. Among 10,311 oral biopsies, 58 met the criteria of nOCs. The most frequent nOCs were nasopalatine duct cysts (32.8%), followed by epidermoid cysts (20.7%) and oral lymphoepithelial cysts (17.2%). Nasopalatine duct cysts showed predominance among females (68.4%). Epidermoid cysts were most commonly found in the floor of the mouth (36.4%), tongue (27.3%), and buccal mucosa (27.3%). Oral lymphoepithelial cysts exhibited female prevalence (80.0%) and were commonly located in the tongue (44.4%). The frequency of nOCs found in the population studied here is slightly different from those reported in other case series. Nasopalatine duct cysts, epidermoid cysts, and oral lymphoepithelial cysts were the most common nOCs found, accounting for 70.7% of all nOCs

MicroRNAs - biogênese, funções e seu papel potencial na carcinogênese oral

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) são pequenos RNAs não-codantes, conservados ao longo da evolução, capazes de regular a expressão gênica através da degradação ou repressão da tradução de moléculas-alvo de RNA mensageiro. A expressão dos miRNAs se apresenta desregulada em diversos processos patológicos, incluindo o câncer. Dependendo do contexto e do tipo celular em que são expressos, um mesmo miRNA pode exibir atividade oncogênica ou supressora tumoral. Dessa forma, a função dos miRNAs pode, em última instância, depender do microambiente específico de determinado tipo celular, o qual pode prover diferentes repertórios de genes-alvo. Entretanto, as alterações na expressão dos miRNAs podem constituir um achado secundário ao próprio fenótipo tumoral e, dessa forma, ainda não está completamente claro se a expressão alterada dos miRNAs constitui causa ou consequência da transformação maligna. O presente estudo realiza uma revisão da literatura sobre miRNAs, enfocando aspectos relacionados à biogênese, mecanismos de ação e o papel potencial desses pequenos RNAs na carcinogênese oral

Salivary and Serum Biochemical Analysis from Patients with Chronic Renal Failure in Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To compare salivary and serum biochemical levels in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Material and Methods: The sample was composed of 57 patients treated in Hemodialysis Reference Centers, from a state of Northeastern Brazilian, with age ≥21 years old with at least 3 months of hemodialysis treatment time. Serum data were obtained from records. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected. Flow rate (mL/min) was measured. Spectrophotometry was performed for the measurement of salivary levels of calcium (570 nm), urea (340 nm), and creatinine (510 nm). Statistical analysis used Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p<0.05). Results: Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates were 0.43 mL/min and 1.69 mL/min, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.001) of levels of calcium (5.41 mg/dL and 9.70 mg/dL), urea (118.03 mg/dL and 183.22 mg/dL) and creatinine (0.59 mg/dL and 9.20 mg/dL) between saliva and serum, respectively. Concerning the time of hemodialysis, salivary and serum calcium not exhibited significant association; however, serum urea (p=0.012) and serum creatinine (p=0.025) showed significant association to the time of hemodialysis. Conclusion: Salivary biochemical levels of urea, creatinine and calcium can indicate the presence of a possible chronic renal failure and the saliva demonstrated to be a potential auxiliary biofluid for clinical monitoring renal alterations

Expression of extracellular matrix proteins in ameloblastomas and adenomatoid odontogenic tumors

This study evaluated the expression of fibronectin, tenascin and type I collagen in ameloblastomas and adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs) aiming to contribute with the comprehension of the differences in the biological behavior of these tumors. Immunohistochemical technique was performed in 20 cases of ameloblastoma (16 solid and 4 desmoplastic) and in 10 cases of AOT. All tumors presented moderate fibronectin expression in the stroma. Solid ameloblastomas showed intense expression of fibronectin at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface, whereas desmoplastic ameloblastomas revealed no immunoexpression of fibronectin at this site. Ameloblastomas presented stronger immunoreactivity to tenascin than AOTs, especially at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface. AOTs and desmoplastic ameloblastomas showed intense labeling for type I collagen. The patterns of expression of the proteins studied agree with the locally more invasive behavior of ameloblastomas in comparison to AOTs. Our results might suggest a less invasive behavior of desmoplastic ameloblastoma in comparison to solid ameloblastoma