Density of Langerhans cells in the keratocystic odontogenic tumor

Abstract

Introduction: Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs) are distinct odontogenic lesions commonly affecting the mandible bones. Langerhans cells (LCs) are specialized dendritic cells responsible for the presentation of antigens to T lymphocytes in mucosal and cutaneous surfaces. Objective: This study analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of LCs in KOTs. Material and method: Fifteen cases of KOTs were studied using the anti-CD1a marker. Results: LCs were observed in all 15 cases analyzed. They were found to be concentrated in areas of cystic epithelial hyperplasia, mainly in those areas presenting higher concentration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, a significant association between the number of LCs and areas of cystic epithelium presenting hyperplasia (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.0223) was observed. The shape and location of these cells in KOTs epithelium were variable. Conclusion: The lower number of LCs observed on atrophic cystic epithelium of KOTs may be due to decreased epithelial immunosurveillance and this may result in locally aggressive invasiveness.

CD1a‐positive Langerhans cells and their relationship with E‐cadherin in ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors

“…The distribution of LCs within the epithelial component of odontogenic tumors that were observed in this study was similar to that reported in previous investigations . Furthermore, dendritic LCs were frequently seen inside the tumor parenchyma, whereas round cells were mainly found along the borders of the parenchyma and around blood vessels, such an observation was also noted by Dultra et al.…”

“…In this study, no significant difference was observed between CD1a-positive LCs and the degree of inflammation response. Similar results have been reported in other studies that investigated odontogenic lesions such as KOTs, dentigerous cysts, dental granulomas, and radicular cysts (32,33,41). These data indicate that an increase or decrease in the CD1a-positive dendritic cell population does not directly influence the magnitude of the T cell-dependent immune response in odontogenic tumors.…”

Langerhans cells in 60 odontogenic keratocysts

“…However, more LCs are found in thick hyperplastic lining epithelia overlying the fibrous connective tissues with severe inflammation than in thin atrophic lining epithelia overlying the fibrous connective tissues without inflammation. They suggested that the lower number of LCs in the atrophic lining epithelia of OKCs may be due to decreased epithelial immunosurveillance and this may result in locally aggressive invasiveness 10 . Murase et al 11 .…”

“…Previous studies have shown the presence of LCs in the parakeratinized lining epithelia and subepithelial connective tissues of small serieses of OKCs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. The frequency of detection of LCs in the lining epithelia is greater in orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts than in OKCs 6, 7.…”

“…The frequency of detection of LCs in the lining epithelia is greater in orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts than in OKCs 6, 7. Moreover, there are more LCs found in the thick hyperplastic lining epithelia overlying the fibrous connective tissue wall with inflammation than in the thin atrophic lining epithelia overlying the fibrous connective tissue wall without inflammation 9, 10. However, it was still not clear whether the LC counts in the lining epithelia and subepithelial connective tissues of OKCs were associated with the grade of inflammation in the subepithelial connective tissue, the thickness of the lining epithelium, and the clinical parameters of OKC.…”