Expression of certain cytokeratins in the epithelium of dentigerous and primordial cysts

: The histopathologic diagnosis of odontogenic cysts is based mainly on the morphological nature of the epithelial lining of the cyst. A standard immunocytochemical method based on anticytokeratin monoclonal antibodies was used for the diagnosis of dentigerous and primordial cysts: 12 odontogenic cysts were diagnosed on clinical, radiological and pathological criteria in 9 dentigerous cysts and 3 primordial cysts. The anticytokeratin antibodies used in this study were KL1 (Immunotech, France) and AE1, AE2, AE3 and AE8 (ICN-Miles, France). The anticytokeratin antibodies used stained only the epithelial cells confirming their accuracy. The KL1 antibodies stained homogeneously the various epithelial cells. This positive reaction was not modified by the various fixation methods used. Some reactions observed with AE antibodies seemed to be modified by Bouin's fixative. The staining homogeneity of the primordial cysts and the staining heterogeneity of the dentigerous cysts seemed to be related to morphological aspects of their respective epithelia. The epithelial reactions in these 2 types of cysts towards inflammation were different.