Estudo da expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas MMP-9, MMP-13 e TIMP-1 em ameloblastomas e tumores odontogênicos ceratocistos

Abstract

Ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOT) represent odontogenic lesions that, despite their benign nature, are distinguished by a distinct biological behavior, characterized by locally aggressive growth and recurrent episodes. The gnathic bone resorption caused by the growth of these lesions is a key to the expansion of the same, both being mediated by osteoclastic cells like enzymatic activity of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) factor. The expression of stimulatory factors and inhibitors of bone resorption has been correlated with the development of these lesions, with emphasis to some MMPs such as collagenases and gelatinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), among others. Based on the premise that stimulatory and inhibitory factors of osteolytic processes can be decisive for the growth rate of intraosseous odontogenic lesions, this experiment evaluated the immunoreactivity of MMP-9, -13 and TIMP-1 protein in the epithelium and mesenchyme of ameloblastoma and the KOT specimens, by a quantitative analysis of the immunoreactivity cells. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests with a significance level set at 5 %. Immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9, -13 and TIMP-1 was observed in 100% of cases both in the epithelium and in mesenchyme. The immunoreactivity in the epithelium of KOT and ameloblastomas revealed a predominance of score 3 for MMP-9 (p=0.382) and MMP-13 (p=0.069) and no statistically significance for TIMP-1, the latter being significantly higher immunoreactivity in ameloblastomas. In the mesenchyme, there was a higher score immunoreactivity of MMP-13 (p=0.031) in ameloblastomas in relation to KOT, whereas for MMP-9 and TIMP-1 no statistically significant difference (p=0.403 was observed, p=1.000). The calculation of the ratio of scores revealed expression of proteins in general, similarity of the lesions, a significant predominance of equal expression of TIMP-1 and MMP-9 was observed only in the epithelium of ameloblastoma. The marked immunostaining of MMP-9 , MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in epithelium and mesenchyme of the lesion indicate that these proteins involved in ECM remodeling required for tumor progression, however, specific differences in the expression of some of these proteins, are not sufficient to suggest differences in the biological behavior of ameloblastomas and KOTs