Presence of ghost cells and the Wnt signaling pathway in odontomas.

Background: Although it has been reported that ghost cells are present in odontomas, the generation mechanism of these cells is unclear. To evaluate the presence of ghost cells and involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway, we examined the expression of hard keratins, beta-catenin and Lef-1 in odontomas.

Methods: Sixty-nine cases of odontoma were examined immunohistochemically with the use of antibodies against human hair proteins, beta-catenin and Lef-1.

Dendritic cells in human squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that initiate and modulate immune responses, including tumor immunity. In this study we examined, immunohistochemically, the distribution of DC subsets in the primary tumor, adjacent tissue and regional lymph nodes (RLNs) of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The numbers of S100+ and CD1a+ DCs in tissue adjacent to the primary tumor were greater in patients without metastasis to RLNs (PN- cases), compared with those with metastasis (PN+ cases), while greater numbers of CD83+ DCs in the primary tumors were found in PN+ cases.