Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Snail/slug in ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour and its histomorphological distinction into growth patterns and variants, does not accurately convey information about its biologic aggressiveness. Expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, which have been implicated in its etiogenesis, might assist in delineating aggressiveness across variants. This may help in formulating appropriate treatment modalities for its management AIMS: To determine expression of SNAIL/SLUG and ECAD/NCAD in tumour cells in clinical and histological subtypes of ameloblastoma and to establish any association between the immunostaining profile and the biologic behaviour of histologic types of ameloblastoma.

This is a retrospective study conducted to evaluate the immunoprofile of selected clinical subtypes and histological variants to EMT factors via immunostaining to SLUG and ECAD/NCAD antibodies. Mean aggregate scores for each antibody per variant was analyzed using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test when appropriate. Agreement between AR and SR regions was correlated using Spearman's correlation co-efficient.

A higher staining SLUG intensity in the stellate reticulum (SR) like areas relative to the ameloblast like areas (AR) was observed, without concomitant E-cadherin repression or elimination. However, a direct relationship between SLUG and N-cadherin was observed.

Expression of SLUG in the SR like areas can be utilized to predict the biologic behavior of specific clinico-histological variants, however its mechanism via alterations in cadherin switching is equivocal.