IMMUNOEXPRESSION OF OSTEOCLASTOGENIC FACTORS IN ODONTOGENIC CYSTS AND TUMORS

The osteolytic activity of odontogenic cysts and tumors is directly associated with their growth and aggressiveness. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of factors that stimulate receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K (CatK), matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8) and inhibit osteoclastogenesis (osteoprotegerin [OPG]) in dentigerous cyst (DC), glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC), odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), and ameloblastomas (ABs). Study design: Paraffin-embedded sections of 9 DCs, 9 GOCs, 20 OKCs, 21 ABs, and 4 dental follicles (DFs) were obtained and submitted to immunohistochemistry by the immunoperoxidase technique. Results: Immunoexpression of the proteins was observed in the epithelial and mesenchymal cells of all lesions studied. Higher expression of OPG and MMP8 was found in DC and DF compared to the other markers (P