Teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor-1 (Cripto-1) is overexpressed in epithelial odontogenic lesions displaying more aggressive behaviour

• Published in: Oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 455 - 460
• Main Authors: da Silva, Leorik Pereira, Severo, Mara Luana Batista, da Silva, Luiz Arthur Barbosa, Galvão, Hébel Cavalcanti, de Souza, Lélia Batista, da Costa Miguel, Márcia Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cysts; Growth factors; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Tumors; Biological marker; Odontogenic cysts; Odontogenic tumours; Cripto-1
• ISSN: 1865-1550; 1865-1569
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-020-00877-0

Purpose
Cripto-1 also known as teratoma-derived growth factor 1 (TDGF-1) belongs to the EGF-CFC family of growth factor-like molecules. Cripto-1 is involved with embryonic development and not expressed in adult tissue, but some tumours are accompanied by reactivation.
Methods
The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Cripto-1 in most common odontogenic cysts and tumours. Thirty ameloblastomas, 30 keratocysts, 30 dentigerous cysts and two ameloblastic carcinomas were evaluated using the polymeric immunoperoxidase technique. Immunohistochemical expressions were analysed by the IRS (immunoreactive score). Statistical analyses were performed by the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (
p
 ≤ 0.05).
Results
Age ranged from 9 to 75 years old, with a prevalence of females (
n
 = 49/53.3%). The mandible was the most affected anatomical site (
n
 = 69/75.0%). Cripto-1 immunoexpression was observed in all ameloblastoma, keratocyst and ameloblastic carcinoma cases, although nine dentigerous cyst cases (30%) were negative. Expression scores were higher in ameloblastoma, keratocyst and ameloblastic carcinoma cases (median ranging from 8 to 11) when compared with dentigerous cyst cases (median of 2), with a statistically significant difference (
p
 < 0.001).
Conclusions
Cripto-1 is critically important in the progression of several tumours since it is related to significant cell survival and differentiation pathways. The high expression of Cripto-1 in more aggressive odontogenic lesions suggests that this molecule may be involved in the activation of important pathways related to the etiopathogenesis of these lesions.