Epithelial cell markers and proliferating cells in odontogenic jaw cysts

The expression of keratins, CEA, EMA, and rat liver antigen (RLA) and the presence of Ki67+ proliferating cells were studied in the epithelial linings of 50 odontogenic cysts using an indirect immunoperoxidase method on acetone-fixed frozen sections. All cysts were positive with monoclonal antibodies of broad keratin specificity (CK1, AE1-3), and between 40 and 100 per cent of epithelial cells expressed keratins 13 and 19. Keratins 7, 8, and 18 were rarely expressed although surface cells in areas of mucous metaplasia often expressed keratins 7 and 18. Expression of keratin 10/11 was related to the presence of a well-ordered epithelial lining and was detected in isolated cells in 4/32 non-keratinizing cysts and in the upper suprabasal cell layers of 17/18 keratocysts. Although CEA, EMA, and RLA were detected in the epithelium of all specimens, the pattern of expression of CEA and EMA differed between cyst types. Ki67+ proliferating cells were most prevalent in keratocyst epithelia, where they were usually found within lower suprabasal layers which were negative or weakly positive for keratins 10/11 and 13. These results indicate differences in keratin, CEA, and EMA expression between cyst types which appear to be dependent on epithelial differentiation/structure rather than cyst type or histogenesis. Although these differences may not be of diagnostic significance, the consistent expression of both keratins 13 and 19 may provide a useful marker of odontogenic epithelium in general.