ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7495-9623
Abstract
Background: Ameloblastoma is the most frequent of the benign epithelial odontogenic tumours. It exhibits a unique biologic behavior which demands meticulous understanding for thorough diagnosis and management. P53 tumor suppressor protein functions as a gatekeeper of cell division, inducing either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. While mutations in the p53 gene are often detected in human cancers; the role of p53 in ameloblastoma remains elusive.
Material and methods: To investigate p53 expression in ameloblastoma, a retrospective study was designed to evaluate and compare immunohistochemical p53 protein expression patterns, in follicular ameloblastoma, plexiform ameloblastoma and unicystic ameloblastoma. Nine paraffin-embedded archival tissue specimens were analyzed for p53 expression using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis of p53 immunoexpression mean area fraction between groups was performed.
Results: immunohistochemical analysis of p53 expression revealed protein expression as brown granular staining in the ameloblast-like cells and stellate reticulum-like cells of all subtypes of ameloblastoma. The immunopostive reaction was primarily cytoplasmic. The immunoexpression appeared to be more intense in the plexiform and unicystic subtypes compared to the follicular subtype.
Conclusions: cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein could possibly contribute to the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma. Further research is required to decipher the role p53 plays in the pathogenesis and progression of different subtypes of ameloblastoma.
Recommended Citation
Mouselhy YY, Abozekry A, Abdel Meguid IM, Obeid RF, Hamouda MA, El-kammar H. P53 Tumor Suppressor Gene Expression in Ameloblastoma Subtypes: An Immunohistochemical Analysis. Future Dental Journal. 2025; 10(2):97-105.