Immunoexpression of Integrins in Ameloblastoma, Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor, and Human Tooth Germs

Abstract

The expression of integrins α2β1, α3β1, and α5β1 in 30 ameloblastomas (20 solid and 10 unicystic tumors), 12 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOTs), and 5 human tooth germs in different stages of odontogenesis was analyzed. The distribution, location, pattern, and intensity of immunohistochemical expression were evaluated. Intensity was analyzed using scores (0 = absence, 1 = weak staining, and 2 = strong staining). No difference in the immunoexpression of the integrins was observed between solid and unicystic ameloblastomas. When these two ameloblastoma types were pooled into a single group, the following significant differences were found: immunoexpression of integrin α2β1 was stronger in ameloblastomas than in AOTs and tooth germs, and the expression of integrin α5β1 was stronger in ameloblastomas than in AOTs. The lack of detection of integrin α3β1 in tooth germs and its detection in the odontogenic tumors studied suggest that this integrin might be used as a marker of neoplastic transformation in odontogenic tissues.