Immunohistochemical Assessment of Extracellular Matrix Components in Syndrome and Non-syndrome Odontogenic Keratocysts

Objective: Investigate the immunohistochemical distribution of fibronectin, tenascin, laminin and collagen IV in syndrome (SOKC) and non-syndrome odontogenic keratocysts (NSOKC).

Materials And Methods: Ten cases of SOKC and five of NSOKC were selected and streptoavidin-biotin technique was applied. The specimens were analyzed taking into account the following evaluation parameters: presence, continuity and thickness in the basement membrane and intensity, distribution and association with inflammatory cells in the cyst wall.

Results: Differences could be detected regarding tenascin, fibronectin and collagen IV between the SOKC and NSOKC. Tenascin was present in all cases along the basement membrane in SOKC and in five cases of NSOKC predominated negative areas. Furthermore, tenascin distribution was focal in the cyst wall in SOKC whereas in NSOKC it was diffuse. Concerning fibronectin, it was detected as a discontinuous band when present in SOCK and as a continuous band in NSOKC. Collagen IV was not present in the majority of the cases in SOKC. Negative areas for laminin predominated in the basement membrane in both groups.

Conclusions: These findings show differences between the immunohistochemical expression of tenascin, fibronectin and collagen IV which might indicate a more aggressive biological behavior of SOKC as compared with NSOKC.