IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AUTOPHAGY-RELATED PROTEINS IN ODONTOGENIC KERATOCYSTS AND DENTIGEROUS CYSTS

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of autophagy-related proteins (Atg7 and LC3A) in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and dentigerous cysts (DCs). Study Design Eighteen OKCs and 18 DCs were submitted to immunohistochemistry. The percentages (cytoplasmic and nuclear) of positive cells for Atg7 and LC3A in the epithelial lining were determined. The results were analyzed statistically using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation test. Results Compared to DCs, OKCs exhibited higher median percentages of cytoplasmic (P = .016) and nuclear (P < .001) positivity for Atg7. No statistically significant differences in the cytoplasmic (P = .070) and nuclear (P = .187) immunoexpression of LC3A were observed between OKCs and DCs. In DCs, a positive correlation was observed between cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of Atg7 (P < .001). Nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of LC3A was positively correlated in OKCs (P = .007) and DCs (P < .001). Conclusions The results suggest a role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of OKCs and DCs. The more aggressive biological behavior of OKCs compared to DCs may be related to increased nuclear translocation and higher cytoplasmic expression of Atg7. To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of autophagy-related proteins (Atg7 and LC3A) in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and dentigerous cysts (DCs). Eighteen OKCs and 18 DCs were submitted to immunohistochemistry. The percentages (cytoplasmic and nuclear) of positive cells for Atg7 and LC3A in the epithelial lining were determined. The results were analyzed statistically using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation test. Compared to DCs, OKCs exhibited higher median percentages of cytoplasmic (P = .016) and nuclear (P < .001) positivity for Atg7. No statistically significant differences in the cytoplasmic (P = .070) and nuclear (P = .187) immunoexpression of LC3A were observed between OKCs and DCs. In DCs, a positive correlation was observed between cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of Atg7 (P < .001). Nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of LC3A was positively correlated in OKCs (P = .007) and DCs (P < .001). The results suggest a role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of OKCs and DCs. The more aggressive biological behavior of OKCs compared to DCs may be related to increased nuclear translocation and higher cytoplasmic expression of Atg7.