Immunohistochemical analysis of cxcl12 and cxcr4 in syndromic and nonsyndromic odontogenic keratocysts

Objectives To evaluate the immunoexpression of chemokine CXCL12 and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in odontogenic keratocysts associated with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (SOKCs) and nonsyndromic odontogenic keratocysts (NSOKCs). Study Design The percentages of cytoplasmic (CXCL12 and CXCR4) and nuclear (CXCR4) staining in epithelial and fibrous capsule cells of 22 SOKCs and 22 NSOKCs were determined. The results were analyzed statistically using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation test. Results Higher cytoplasmic expression of CXCL12 was observed in the epithelial lining and fibrous capsule of NSOKCs compared to SOKCs (P < .001). No statistically significant differences in the cytoplasmic expression of CXCR4 were observed between SOKCs and NSOKCs (P > .05). Compared to SOKCs, NSOKCs exhibited higher nuclear expression of CXCR4 in the epithelial lining and lower immunoexpression in the fibrous capsule (P < .05). In the epithelial lining of SOKCs, a positive correlation was observed between cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of CXCR4 (P = .003). In the fibrous capsule of SOKCs and NSOKCs, cytoplasmic and nuclear expressions of CXCR4 were positively correlated (P < .001). Conclusions The results suggest a potential involvement of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the development of OKCs. The heterogenous expression of these proteins in SOKCs and NSOKCs may reflect differences in their pathogenesis and biological behavior. To evaluate the immunoexpression of chemokine CXCL12 and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in odontogenic keratocysts associated with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (SOKCs) and nonsyndromic odontogenic keratocysts (NSOKCs). The percentages of cytoplasmic (CXCL12 and CXCR4) and nuclear (CXCR4) staining in epithelial and fibrous capsule cells of 22 SOKCs and 22 NSOKCs were determined. The results were analyzed statistically using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation test. Higher cytoplasmic expression of CXCL12 was observed in the epithelial lining and fibrous capsule of NSOKCs compared to SOKCs (P < .001). No statistically significant differences in the cytoplasmic expression of CXCR4 were observed between SOKCs and NSOKCs (P > .05). Compared to SOKCs, NSOKCs exhibited higher nuclear expression of CXCR4 in the epithelial lining and lower immunoexpression in the fibrous capsule (P < .05). In the epithelial lining of SOKCs, a positive correlation was observed between cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of CXCR4 (P = .003). In the fibrous capsule of SOKCs and NSOKCs, cytoplasmic and nuclear expressions of CXCR4 were positively correlated (P < .001). The results suggest a potential involvement of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the development of OKCs. The heterogenous expression of these proteins in SOKCs and NSOKCs may reflect differences in their pathogenesis and biological behavior.