석회화 치성낭에서 β-catenin 유전자 이상

Abstract

Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) has a variety of histopathologic features as well as biologic behaviors, and several classifications have been proposed. However, the molecular changes leading to COC development remain largely unknown. To elucidate the contribution of β-catenin gene mutation to COC development, the author examined genetic alterations and expression of β-catenin in different subtypes of COCs with archival paraffin blocks. β-catenin gene mutations were found in all subtypes of the COCs. Immunohistochemically, all cases of COCs showed cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of β-catenin. β-catenin gene mutations and overexpression of β-catenin protein are considered to be characteristics of COCs. Therefore, constitutive activation of Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription by β-catenin stabilization seems to be deeply involved in the development of COCs. These findings suggest that aberrations of the Wnt signaling pathway might play a crucial role in development and differentiation status of odontogenic epithelium in COCs via deregulation of cell proliferation.