Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases in ameloblastomas and pericoronal follicles.

Background: Ameloblastoma (AM) is a benign odontogenic neoplasm characterized by local invasiveness and recurrence. We compared the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases in different clinical types of AM as well as in normal odontogenic tissue.

Methods: Thirteen cases of solid AMs, five cases of unicystic AM and eight pericoronal follicles (PF) were selected and subjected to immunohistochemical investigation for matrix metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expressions.

Results: The expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-2 were very high in the cytoplasm of cells throughout the entire epithelium and in fibroblasts from the adjacent connective tissue. MMP-9 expression was observed in the same location although with weaker staining. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed statistically significant differences in the epithelial expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-2; there was lower expression among solid AMs when compared with unicystic AM and PF. Compared to both types of AM, higher stromal expression of MMP-9 was found in PF.

Conclusion: MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 seem to be associated with AM tumour behaviour as well as physiological tissue remodelling within PF.