Evaluation of osteopontin and CD44v6 expression in odontogenic cystic lesions by immunohistochemistry

Odontogenic cysts are common lesions with different biological behavior. Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) with ameloblastoma-like epithelium are more aggressive than dentigerous cysts (DCs) and radicular cysts (RCs). Therefore, they were included in the list of odontogenic tumors by WHO. Osteopontin (OPN) is a calcium-binding glycoprotein present in many normal tissues. It plays a role in the migration and invasion of transformed epithelial cells. Binding of OPN to its receptor CD44v6 can enhance cell motility and migration. The purpose of this study was to compare the expression of these markers between odontogenic cysts of varying biological behavior. We examined OPN and CD44v6 expression in tissue sections of 14OKCs, 14COCs, 14RCs and 14DCs by immunohistochemistry. OPN and CD44v6 immunostaining was observed in all lining epithelial cells of the studied lesions with different degrees. The highest level of OPN and CD44v6 expression was found in OKCs, followed by COCs, RCs and DCs. Comparison of both markers among four groups revealed significant differences (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that higher level of OPN and CD44v6 expression in epithelial cells of some lesions such as OKC and COC can explain the local aggressive behavior of them.