Epithelial-mesenchymal markers and their correlation with clinical aspects in odontogenic keratocysts

Abstract

Objective: Odontogenic keratocysts have a high recurrence rate and aggressive clinical behavior. The event called epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a process in which the epithelial cell loses its epithelial characteristics and acquires properties typical of mesenchymal cells. Studies have already demonstrated that odontogenic keratocysts has expression of tumor markers, but the lack of clarification about its development mechanism and molecular composition makes the therapeutic options remain limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker proteins in these lesions, correlating the expression of these proteins with clinical aspects of each case. Methods: Patients with odontogenic keratocysts diagnoses, treated by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Erasto Gaertner Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil in the period between 2016 and 2019 were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis, to assess the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers (Vimentin, beta-catenin and E-cadherin) by qualitative analysis. Results: Eighteen patients were included, with a mean age of 43 years, and most of them were male. The mandible was more affected than the maxilla. No association between the clinical characteristics of the cysts and the immunohistochemical profile for epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins was observed. Conclusion: The positivity of E-cadherin and negativity of vimentin demonstrates that its function is preserved. Loss of function of E-cadherin is associated with worse prognosis. The identification of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process as a prognostic marker for odontogenic cysts and tumors could be an important tool for defining treatment.