EXPRESSION OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL MARKERS IN THE STROMA OF ODONTOGENIC CYSTS AND TUMORS

Objective To investigate the immunoexpression of stem cell markers (Nanog, SOX2, Oct4, CD34) in odontogenic cysts and tumors. CD34 was investigated as a marker for stromal fibroblast/fibrocyte cells (CD34+SFCs). CD34+SFCs were also investigated ultrastructurally. The physical aggregation of collagen fibers was examined by picrosirius red stain and polarized light. Methods Ten cases each of primary odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), recurrent OKC, dentigerous cysts, ameloblastoma, unicystic ameloblastoma, and odontogenic myxoma and 7 syndromic OKC (sOKC) were included. Results were expressed as the mean number of positive cells per field. Changes (%) in polarization colors of the collagen fibers were assessed pending 90° rotation of the microscope table. Significance was set at P Results All markers except Oct4 were expressed by stromal cells in all lesions. Expression of SOX2 but not Nanog was significantly higher in tumors than in cysts (P Conclusions Stromal cells in odontogenic cysts and tumors seem to contribute to their biological behavior.