Immunoexpression of proteins involved in cytoskeleton remodeling in benign odontogenic lesions

Objective: The present study was designed to analyze the immunolocalization of proteins involved in cytoskeleton remodeling, such as moesin and Rho-A, in benign odontogenic lesions that present with expansive growth and invasive clinical behavior. Materials and methods: Expressions of moesin and Rho-A in odontogenic epithelium were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis in 45 odontogenic lesions using monoclonal antibodies. Results: Our results demonstrated strong membranous and cytoplasmic expressions of moesin in the epithelial cells in 66.7% and 44.4% of the odontogenic lesions, respectively. Furthermore, Rho-A expression in odontogenic epithelium was strong in the membrane and cytoplasm of 51.1% and 62.2% of the odontogenic lesions, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found between the membranous and cytoplasmic expressions of moesin (p = 0.000) and those of Rho-A (p = 0.048) in odontogenic epithelial cells, while no statistically significant correlation was found between moesin and Rho-A expressions (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The present study confirmed the strong expressions of moesin and Rho-A by odontogenic epithelial cells, suggesting their involvement in the development of benign odontogenic lesions. However, this study has failed to detect the connection between the moesin and Rho-A interaction in expansive growth and local invasiveness of these lesions.