A Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of Microvessels Density and Stromal Myofibroblasts in Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst and Ameloblastoma

Abstract

Odontogenic lesions, cysts or tumors are those lesions arising in the jaws or oral soft tissues from the remnants of odontogenic tissues. They vary significantly in size and severity. Some of them, like AB and OKC, have the ability to be aggressive and invade the surrounding bone and tissues, while the majority of them are totally benign in behavior, like DC. Odontogenesis depends on complex interactions between odontogenic epithelium and odontogenic ectomesenchyme resulting in the development of the tooth and its supporting structures. So, it is now believed that formation of odontogenic lesions is also dependent on the connective tissue components (tumor-associated fibroblasts, endothelial and inflammatory cells) besides the proliferating epithelial cells. Angiogenesis, which is known as the formation of new blood vessels from the old ones, is believed to have a great role in supporting the growth of neoplastic epithelium, by supplying it with oxygen and nutrients. It also plays a role in invasion and metastasis. CD105 is considered the most accurate angiogenic marker for newly formed blood vessels. MFs are fibroblasts with special characteristics resembling those of smooth muscles. They differ from the normal fibroblast by the presence of a contractile apparatus and found in the connective tissue stroma of various invasive and metastatic malignant tumors. Between all markers of MFs, α-SMA is considered the best.