Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor: Features of ameloblastic‐like epithelial cells differentiation, secretion, and the nature of tumor cells products

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the differentiation of ameloblastic‐like cells and the nature of the secreted eosinophilic materials in adenomatoid odontogenic tumors.MethodsWe studied histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 20 cases using: cytokeratins 14 and 19, amelogenin, collagen I, laminin, vimentin, and CD34.ResultsRosette cells differentiated into ameloblastic‐like cells positioned face‐to‐face, displaying collagen I‐positive material between them. Epithelial cells of the rosettes can differentiate into ameloblastic‐like cells. This phenomenon probably occurs due to an induction phenomenon between these cells. The secretion of collagen I is probably a brief event. Amelogenin‐positive areas were interspersed by epithelial cells in the lace‐like areas, outside the rosettes and distant from the ameloblastic‐like cells.ConclusionsThere are at least two types of eosinophilic material in different areas within the tumor, one in the rosette and solid areas and another in lace‐like areas. The secreted eosinophilic material in the rosettes and solid areas is probably a product of well‐differentiated ameloblastic‐like cells. It is positive for collagen I and negative for amelogenin, whereas some eosinophilic materials in the lace‐like areas are positive for amelogenin. We hypothesize that the latter eosinophilic material could be a product of odontogenic cuboidal epithelial or intermediate stratum‐like epithelial cells.