Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Isolation, Characterization and Functional Examination of the Gingival Immune Cell Network
Published on: February 16, 2016
ING3 and ING4 immunoexpression and their relation to the development of benign odontogenic lesions
Yailit Del Carmen Martinez-Vargas1, Tiago João da Silva-Filho2, Denise Hélen Imaculada Pereira de Oliveira3
1Postgraduate Program in Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Abstract:
The Inhibitor of Growth (ING) gene family is a group of tumor suppressor genes that play important roles in cell cycle control, senescence, DNA repair, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. However, inactivation and downregulation of these proteins have been related in some neoplasms. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical profiles of ING3 and ING4 proteins in a series of benign epithelial odontogenic lesions.
Methods:
The sample comprised of 20 odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), 20 ameloblastomas (AM), and 15 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOT) specimens. Nuclear and cytoplasmic immunolabeling of ING3 and ING4 were semi-quantitatively evaluated in epithelial cells of the odontogenic lesions, according to the percentage of immunolabelled cells in each case. Descriptive and statistics analysis were computed, and the p-value was set at 0.05.
Results:
No statistically significant differences were found in cytoplasmic and nuclear ING3 immunolabeling among the studied lesions. In contrast, AOTs presented higher cytoplasmic and nuclear ING4 labeling compared to AMs (cytoplasmic p-value = 0.01; nuclear p-value < 0.001) and OKCs (nuclear p-value = 0.007).
Conclusion:
ING3 and ING4 protein downregulation may play an important role in the initiation and progression of more aggressive odontogenic lesions, such as AMs and OKCs.
Insights
Downregulation of ING3 and ING4 proteins may be linked to aggressive odontogenic lesions. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumors showed higher ING4 expression than ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Oral Pathology
Background:
- The Inhibitor of Growth (ING) gene family comprises tumor suppressors vital for cell cycle control, DNA repair, and apoptosis.
- Inactivation or downregulation of ING proteins is implicated in various neoplasms.
- The specific roles of ING3 and ING4 in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of ING3 and ING4 proteins in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions.
- To compare ING3 and ING4 protein profiles across different odontogenic lesion types.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of ING3 and ING4 in 20 odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), 20 ameloblastomas (AM), and 15 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOT).
- Semi-quantitative evaluation of nuclear and cytoplasmic immunolabeling in epithelial cells.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant differences in protein expression.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in ING3 cytoplasmic or nuclear immunolabeling were observed among the lesions.
- Adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOT) exhibited significantly higher cytoplasmic and nuclear ING4 labeling compared to ameloblastomas (AM) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKC).
- Specific p-values: ING4 cytoplasmic (AOT vs AM: p=0.01), ING4 nuclear (AOT vs AM: p<0.001; AOT vs OKC: p=0.007).
Conclusions:
- ING3 and ING4 protein downregulation may contribute to the initiation and progression of aggressive odontogenic lesions like AMs and OKCs.
- Differential expression of ING4 suggests a potential role in distinguishing between odontogenic tumor types.
- Further research into the functional impact of ING protein alterations in odontogenesis is warranted.
