Gene expression of miRNA-138 and cyclin D1 in oral lichen planus.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate microRNA-138 (miR-138) gene expression and its target cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene and protein expression in oral lichen planus (OLP) mucosa in an attempt to investigate their possible roles in OLP immunopathogenesis.

Methods: Sixty oral biopsy specimens were harvested from 30 healthy subjects and 30 OLP patients, subdivided into reticular, atrophic, and erosive groups (n = 10 each). Samples were subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis for quantification of miR-138 and CCND1 relative gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis to determine CCND1 protein expression.

Correlation between ploidy status using flow cytometry and nucleolar organizer regions in benign and malignant epithelial odontogenic tumors.

Objective: Differentiation between the aggressive benign odontogenic tumors and their malignant counterparts is controversial and difficult. While flow cytometry (FCM) allowed DNA analysis in neoplasia, argyrophilic organizer regions (AgNORs) number and/or size in a nucleus are correlated with the ribosomal gene activity and therefore with cellular proliferation. The aim of this research was to study the diagnostic accuracy of FCM and AgNORs staining in differentiating between benign and malignant epithelial odontogenic tumors and to correlate between these two interventions.