Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
WWOX expression in giant cell lesions of the jaws
Fabrício Rezende Amaral1, Marina Gonçalves Diniz, Vanessa Fátima Bernardes
1Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Objective:
To investigate WWOX messenger RNA (mRNA) transcriptional levels in giant cell lesions (GCLs) of the jaws and associate its expression with clinical parameters.
Study Design:
In this pilot study, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze WWOX expression in 6 central giant cell lesions (CGCLs) (including 2 aggressive), 5 peripheral giant cell lesions (PGCLs) and 1 cherubism sample. Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm the localization of the Wwox protein.
Results:
CGCL and PGCL showed an overall increased expression of WWOX, as did the cherubism case, but no differences were observed among the groups. Wwox was localized almost entirely to the cytoplasm of multinucleated giant cells, as well as in a few mononuclear cells. CGCL and PGCL showed higher expression of the WWOX mRNA than peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The 2 aggressive CGCL samples exhibited decreased WWOX expression.
Conclusions:
These results showed increased expression of WWOX mainly in non-aggressive GCLs of the jaws.
Related Concept Videos
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Compact Bone
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Pleiotropy
Bone Remodeling and Repair
Spongy Bone
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
