Work

Immunohistochemical Expression of Invadopodia‐Associated Proteins in Subtypes of Unicystic Ameloblastoma

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the expression of invadopodia-associated proteins-HIF-1α, NOTCH-1, ADAM-12, and HB-EGF-across different histological subtypes of unicystic ameloblastomas (UA) to assess their invasiveness under hypoxic conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 29 UA samples, 9 conventional ameloblastomas (CAM), and 9 dental follicles (DF). RESULTS: Mural unicystic ameloblastomas (MUA) exhibited significantly higher immunoexpression of all proteins compared to luminal (LUA) and intraluminal (IUA) subtypes (p < 0.0001). Neoplastic cells in the cystic capsule of MUA also showed greater expression of these proteins than those in the lumen. Conventional ameloblastomas demonstrated lower expression of NOTCH-1, ADAM-12, and HIF-1α compared to the MUA cystic capsule cells. Dental follicles had the lowest immunostaining of all groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that hypoxia may contribute to more aggressive behavior in MUA, potentially enhancing its invasive capacity compared to LUA and IUA.

Source: Oral Diseases

DOI: 10.1111/odi.70338