Impact of CD34-dependent Micro Vessel Density on Periapical Odontogenic Cysts

Abstract

Background/Aim: Odontogenic cysts belong to a type of lesions with endodontic origin that in some cases mimic even aggressive odontogenic tumors sharing with them similar radiographic features. Periapical cysts (PCs) belong to the inflammatory odontogenic cysts sub-category and rarely squamous cell carcinoma arises from their hyperplastic/ dysplastic epithelia. This study aimed to explore the impact of cluster differentiation 34 (CD34) protein expression combined with micro vessel density (MVD) on PCs. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight (n=48) archival, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded PC tissue specimens were included in the study. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed in the corresponding tissue sections using an anti- CD34 antibody. CD34 expression levels and also MVD in the examined cases were measured by implementing a digital image analysis protocol. Results: CD34 over-expression (moderate to high staining intensity levels) were detected in 29/48 (60.4%) cases, whereas the rest of them (19/48-39.6%) were characterized by low levels of expression. Extended MVD was identified in 26/48 (50.1%) cases correlated with CD34 over-expression, epithelial hyperplasia (p-value=0.001), and marginally with inflammatory infiltration level in the examined lesions (p-value=0.056). Conclusion: CD34 over-expression combined with increased MVD is associated with a neoplastic-like (hyperplastic) phenotype in PCs as a result of increased neo-angiogenic activity. These histopathological characteristics rarely form an eligible substrate for squamous cell carcinoma onset in untended cases.

Human Periapical Odontogenic Granulomas: Aspects of Microvessel Density (MVD), Heterogeneity of Blood Vessels and Mast Cells Density (MCD)

“…The aim is to assess the angiogenesis process and various neo-angiogenesis levels [13,14]. Other studies assess the MVD in inflammatory diseases such as gingivitis, inflammatory periapical granulomas or cysts [2,6,[15][16][17]. Our study confirms the variability of the microvessels and the fact that the connective tissue had the highest average numbers of vessels.…”

Heat Shock Proteins’ Expression Profiles in Odontogenic Ameloblastomas and Cysts

“…A subset of these cystic lesions are characterized by increased neo-angiogenesis leading to a neoplastic-like tissue formation. In these cases, cluster differentiation 34 (CD34) protein expression combined with micro vessel density (MVD) measurement are eligible biomarkers in order for neo-angiogenesis levels to be estimated (38,39). Concerning the HSPs expression profiles in odontogenic cysts in comparison to ameloblastomas, there are limited data.…”