Expression of Dlx-5 and HLX Proteins in Odontogenic Cysts

Odontogenic cysts, commonly detected during routine examinations involving head and neck imaging such as orthopantomograms and computed tomography (CT), are classified into two groups: developmental and inflammatory. Radicular cysts, which belong to the inflammatory group, originate from odontogenic epithelium, while dentigerous cysts of developmental origin are observed as a result of peri-coronal expansion of fluid in the dental follicle. The diagnosis and identification of odontogenic cysts rely on clinical, radiographic, and histological evaluations. This study aimed to demonstrate the expression of Dlx-5 and HLX proteins in radicular and dentigerous cysts. A total of 40 radicular and 40 dentigerous cysts were obtained from patients who visited private oral and dental health clinics in Bingöl and Diyarbakır provinces. After undergoing routine histological procedures, the cysts were stained using Masson's Trichrome and immunohistochemistry techniques. As a result, the epithelium of radicular cysts was found to be keratinized stratified squamous, with hyaline (Rushton) bodies located within the epithelium. Dentigerous cysts, on the other hand, consisted of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, rete ridges with hyperplastic areas, and inflammatory cell infiltrations. The immunoreactivity induced by Dlx-5 in epithelial and connective tissue cells of radicular and dentigerous cysts was found to be stronger than that of HLX. The positive expression of Dlx-5 and HLX proteins in radicular and dentigerous cysts suggests that these proteins may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of these cysts. Furthermore, it was considered that the expression of Dlx-5 and HLX might help reveal the behavioral differences between odontogenic cysts.