Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment. | ||||||||
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Expression of platelet-derived growth factor-AA and platelet-derived growth factor-alpha receptor in ameloblastomas.Sulzbacher I, Wick N, Pichlhofer B, Mazal PR Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. irene.sulzbacher@meduniwien.ac.at BACKGROUND: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA isoform and its receptor, PDGF-alpha receptor (PDGFRA) regulate tooth development and growth. We investigated the expression of both proteins in ameloblastomas, to contribute the understanding of the potential role of the PDGF/PDGFR system in this odontogenic neoplasm. METHOD: Twenty-nine specimens of ameloblastoma were analyzed for PDGF-AA and PDGFRA expression using immunohistochemistry. The proliferation activity was investigated with the MIB-1 antibody. Additionally, capillary sequencing of genomic DNA was performed to search for mutations in therapeutically relevant exons 12 and 18 of the PDGFRA gene. RESULTS: PDGF-AA and PDGFRA expression were detectable in all cases with the exception of one tumor. However, protein expression levels did neither correlate with each other nor with MIB-1 expression. Unicystic ameloblastomas did not differ from solid tumors with regard to PDGF-AA, PDGFRA, and MIB-1 expression. One tumor revealed a somatic mutation of exon 12 of the PDGFRA gene. CONCLUSION: PDGF-AA and PDGFRA proteins are regularly expressed in variable levels in ameloblastomas, and somatic mutations of exon 12 and exon 18 of the PDGFRA gene are rare findings. Published 6 March 2008 in J Oral Pathol Med, 37(4): 235-40.
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