Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Calretinin and Cytokeratin-19 in Odontogenic Keratocyst and Ameloblastoma: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe odontogenic epithelial remnants, i.e. cell rests of Serre and Malassez, are formed from dental lamina and Hertwig's epithelial root sheath respectively, may proliferate and have role in pathogenesis of odontogenic cysts and tumors. Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is the most common and aggressive cyst of the dental lamina origin. Ameloblastoma, the second most common odontogenic tumor (OT), is a clinically benign and locally invasive polymorphic neoplasia. Differentiation of OKC from ameloblastoma sometimes poses a diagnostic dilemma, thus necessitating the need to differentiate between the two (especially unicystic ameloblastoma and OKC). Calretinin, a calcium binding protein, functions as a calcium buffer and a regulator of apoptosis. Some studies have shown its expression in parakeratinized OKC, unicystic and solid ameloblastoma, but not in other OTs. Calretinin may thus provide a better understanding of the biological behavior and tumorogenesis of ameloblastoma. cytokeratin (CK)-19 is a type I cytokeratin, has been found to be a reliable marker of epithelial differentiation. The intense expression of CK-19 is useful for identification of odontogenic epithelial components, thus suggesting their potential for proliferation to form epithelial odontogenic cysts and tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate calretinin and Ck-19 in OKC and ameloblastoma. For this retrospective study, 20 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples of histopathologically proven OKC and ameloblastoma each, retrieved from the department of oral pathology was used. The results will be evaluated by using immunohistochemical analysis.How to cite this articlePawar VM, Patel S, Pathak J, Swain N, Hosalkar R, Iyer J. Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Calretinin and Cytokeratin-19 in Odontogenic Keratocyst and Ameloblastoma: A Retrospective Study. J Contemp Dent 2015;5(2):98-103.