SYNCHRONOUS EXPRESSION OF E-CADHERIN AND SYNDECAN-1 IN AMELOBLASTOMA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the percentage of expression and the possibility of synchronicity between E-cadherin (Ecad) and Epithelial syndecan-1 (Syn-1E) in Unicystic ameloblastoma (UAM) and solid multicystic ameloblastoma (SMA) and the association between this synchronicity and stromal immunoexpression of Syn1 (Syn1S). Findings Immunohistochemical analysis of Ecad and Syn1 was performed for 30 (15 UAM, 15 SMA) cases of ameloblastoma, the percentage of expression was evaluated with the average value for expression, and intensity was evaluated with the Immunomebrane plug-in. (Image J, BioMediTech, Finland) The percentage expression of Ecad and Syn1E was high in UAM. (p 0.05) Conclusions We observed synchronicity in the expression of Ecad and Syn1E in both types of ameloblastomas. The adhesiveness of the tumoral cells is probably related to the regulation of expression of both proteins; thus, an increase or reduction of synchronicity is related to cell invasion and the capacity to migration to the stroma, which was reflected in the behavior of the ameloblastomas in the present cases. This assumption may be further supported by an increase in expression of Syn1S in the SMAs; therefore, it is possible that the low synchronicity between Ecad and Syn1E constitute an important factor for the aggressiveness of ameloblastomas.