Expression of E-cadherin vimentin and β-catenin in ameloblastoma and association with clinicopathological characteristics of ameloblastoma

摘要

Objective: Ameloblastoma shows invasive growth and is susceptible to recurrence. This study aimed to detect the expression of E-Cadherin, Vimentin and β-Catenin (proteins related to epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in the ameloblastoma and to explore association with clinicopathological characteristics of ameloblastoma. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the protein expression of E-Cadherin, Vimentin and β-Catenin in the ameloblastoma, and its association with clinicopathological characteristics of ameloblastoma was further evaluated. Results: E-Cadherin expression was reduced or absent on the membrane of the peripheral columnar and cubic epithelial cells; Vimentin expression was high in the interstitium as well as epithelial cells in ameloblastoma; E-Cadherin expression was negatively related to Vimentin expression. β-catenin expression on the membrane of ameloblastoma epithelial cells reduced, but its ectopic expression was observed in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. Conclusion: EMT related proteins E-Cadherin, β-catenin and Vimentin are involved in the occurrence and development of ameloblastoma and these proteins can be used as biomarkers of invasiveness of ameloblastoma.