Immunohistochemical Expression of GLUT-1 and HIF-1α in Tooth Germ, Ameloblastoma, and Ameloblastic Carcinoma

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) promotes proteins that enable cell survival during hypoxia, such as glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1). Their coexpression has been associated with aggressiveness in malignancies and has not been studied in odontogenic tumors. Immunohistochemical expression of HIF-1α and GLUT-1 was analyzed in 13 tooth germs (TGs), 55 ameloblastomas (AMs), and 3 ameloblastic carcinomas (ACs). HIF-1α was negative in all TGs, and just 1 case of AM and 1 of AC had nuclear positivity. GLUT-1 expressed in ameloblastic cells of all TGs, AMs, and ACs, with an increasing intensity, respectively, and was significantly higher in solid AM than in unicystic AM (P = .041). Absence of nuclear HIF-1α in TGs and most AMs suggest that GLUT-1 may be induced by alternative pathways to hypoxia. However, in ACs, HIF-1α may be activated; however, to confirm this, additional cases are needed. GLUT-1 overexpression could be related to aggressiveness in AMs and ACs and must represent a normal metabolite in TGs.