Although osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone, little is known about their function, and no specific marker protein for osteocytes has been described. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic phosphoprotein expressed in tooth organ and bone. Our previous work showed that in the chicken, which is not capable of forming tooth, DMP1 messenger RNA (mRNA) is highly expressed in bone by Northern blot analysis. To clarify the significance of DMP1 expression in bone, the expression of DMP1 mRNA and its protein was examined in the chicken and rat. In the chicken, DMP1 mRNA was detected only in bone tissues and was localized in osteocytes and preosteocytes but not in osteoblasts. Similarly, in the rat, DMP1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in osteocytes and preosteocytes in bone matrix but not in osteoblasts located at the bone surface. Antiserum was raised against the peptide from rat DMP1, and the localization of DMP1 was examined by immunohistochemistry. In the development of bone, DMP1 was first detected in newly formed bone matrix after osteoblastic cells had been embedded within it. After the appearance of typical osteocytes, DMP1 was localized in the pericellular bone matrix of osteocytes, including their processes. These data show that DMP1 is a bone matrix protein specifically expressed in osteocytes and preosteocytes and suggest that DMP1 plays a role in bone homeostasis because of its high calcium ion-binding capacity.

A rare case of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) devoid of calcification is reported with histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies. The tumor occurred intraosseously in the left maxillary canine and premolar region of a 58-year-old man. The tumor chiefly consisted of scattered small islands of epithelial cells in an abundant fibro-myxoid connective tissue stroma. Among the nests, there were many spherical bodies of eosinophilic substance for which non-AA amyloid and non-keratin or basal lamina-like natures were demonstrated histochemically and immunohistochemically. In some nests, there were a few, occasionally several, cells positive for S-100 protein. Ultrastructurally, Langerhans cells with indented nuclei and Birbeck's granules were seen among tumor cells. The prognostic significance of the paucity of calcification and the presence of Langerhans cells in CEOT of which this is only the second description is discussed.

The clinico-pathologic, immunohistochemical and radiological features of 12 jaw cysts with a prominent orthokeratinized epithelial lining were studied and compared with those of typical odontogenic keratocysts and dentigerous cysts. They differed significantly from odontogenic keratocysts in terms of biologic behavior and histopathologic findings. Although immunohistochemical staining of the epithelial linings for cytokeratins, EMA, CEA and involucrin has not shed any light on the histogenesis of these lesions, staining patterns for these markers were significantly different from those of odontogenic keratocysts and non-keratinized dentigerous cysts. Radiologically, nine cases appeared as dentigerous cysts; two cases, one with sebaceous differentiation, as non-dentigerous unilocular cysts, and the remaining one was exceptional as it showed multiple epidermal cysts with prominent dermal appendages histologically. It is suggested that most of the orthokeratinized jaw cysts may belong to clinico-pathological entities different from odontogenic keratocysts with the majority representing dentigerous cysts with orthokeratinization. The possibility of the existence of rare central dermoid or epidermoid cysts is also to be considered.

Verruciform xanthoma is an uncommon benign lesion with unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. In this study, we report ten cases of verruciform xanthoma and document their clinical and histopathological findings. An immunohistochemical investigation was performed using antibodies to macrophage, leukocyte common antigen, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, S-100 protein, lysozyme and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. Our results were similar to the other reported cases. Eighty percent of our cases were found on the gingiva. Candidal hyphae were found in the superficial parakeratotic layers in five cases. The clinical diagnosis of the lesion ranged between papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is important for clinicians to take into consideration the possibility of verruciform xanthoma in the differential diagnosis of papillary and granular lesions of oral mucosa. Immunohistochemically, all foam cells were strongly stained with antimacrophage antibodies. T lymphocytes were the predominant infiltrating lymphocytes in the lesion. Langerhans cells in the epithelia were fewer than those in corresponding normal tissue. Our immunohistochemical findings suggest that verruciform xanthoma is may be a local immunological disorder, with a cell mediated mechanism.

Our recent study of developing myoepithelial cells (MECs) in rat salivary glands demonstrated that developing MECs begin to express alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) first and, thereafter, keratin 14. Therefore, it is unlikely that duct basal cells expressing keratin 14 alone are immature or undifferentiated MECs. In this study we carried out immunohistochemistry of pleomorphic adenomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas including normal salivary glands using monoclonal antibodies to keratin 14, smooth muscle proteins and keratin 19. The smooth muscle proteins examined included alphaSMA, h-caldesmon and h1-calponin; h1-calponin was observed in keratinocytes and nerve fibers, indicating that the protein is not specific to smooth muscle, whereas alphaSMA and h-caldesmon turned out to be highly specific markers for smooth muscle cells in normal tissues. In normal glands, MECs were positive for both keratin 14 and smooth muscle proteins (alphaSMA and h-caldesmon). Non-MEC cells were essentially devoid of smooth muscle proteins. Non-MEC duct basal cells expressed keratin 14 with or without keratin 19, and luminal cells keratin 19 with or without keratin 14. This suggests that the keratin 14-positive, smooth muscle proteins-negative duct basal cells are luminal cell progenitors. Luminal cells in tubular structures of both tumors were positive for keratin 19 with or without keratin 14. Nonluminal peripheral cells of pleomorphic adenomas were mostly positive for keratin 14, and a small fraction of them expressed smooth muscle proteins. Conversely, peripheral cells of adenoid cystic carcinomas were mostly positive for smooth muscle proteins, and some of them expressed keratin 14. These results strongly suggest (1) that the luminal cell progenitors transform into major constituents of pleomorphic adenoma cells with keratin 14 but not smooth muscle proteins, and (2) that the peripheral cells of adenoid cystic carcinoma are derived from undifferentiated MECs. Solid structures of pleomorphic adenomas were formed by proliferation of the peripheral cells. MECs were observed only occasionally in the periphery. Solid and cribriform structures of adenoid cystic carcinomas were formed by proliferation of the luminal cells. MECs were observed in the periphery and around the pseudocyst.