IMMUNOEXPRESSION OF GALECTINS-1, -3, AND -7 IN AMELOBLASTOMAS AND ADENOMATOID ODONTOGENIC TUMORS

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate immunoexpression of galectins -1, -3, and -7 in ameloblastoma (AM) and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT), comparing them with clinicomorphologic parameters. <h3>Study Design</h3> A total of 31 cases of AM and 20 cases of AOT were analyzed. Immunoexpression of galectin-1, -3, and -7 was analyzed in parenchyma (quantitatively) and stroma (presence/absence). In the parenchyma, immunopositivity of cell compartments (nucleus and/or cytoplasm) was also considered. Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests were used (<i>P</i> < .05). <h3>Results</h3> In parenchyma, AM showed the highest nuclear expression of galectin-1 (<i>P</i> < .001), galectin-3 (<i>P</i> < .001), and galectin-7 (<i>P</i> < .001). Significant differences were observed in the immunoexpression of nuclear galectin-1 with recurrent AM (<i>P</i> < .001) and nuclear galectin-7 with conventional AM (<i>P</i> = .040). In tumor stroma, AM showed higher expression of galectin-1 than AOT (<i>P</i> = .007). AOT exhibited the highest levels of expression of cytoplasmic galectin-3 (<i>P</i> = .003) and galectin-7 (<i>P</i> = .015). Significant differences were observed in the immunoexpression of nuclear galectin-1 with mandibular AOT (<i>P</i> = .009). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Galectin-1, -3, and -7 play a role in the pathogenesis of AM and AOT. Nuclear expression of galectin-1 and -7 in recurrent and conventional AM suggests a possible proliferative and/or antiapoptotic function of these galectins related to the distinct pattern of aggressiveness of AM.