Abstract
To investigate the role of apoptosis in the development of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), apoptosis-related factors and apoptotic cells were examined immunohistochemically and by in situ DNA nick end-labeling. Expression of bcl-2 protein was detected in the cytoplasm of basal cells of OKC lining epithelium, and parakeratinized OKCs showed higher expression than orthokeratinized OKCs. P53 protein was detected sporadically in nuclei of OKC lining epithelium, and expression of Lewisy antigen was detected in the cell membranes of superficial cells of OKC lining epithelium. Ki-67 reactivity in bcl-2 or p53 positive cases was higher than in negative cases, but the correlation between these apoptosis-related factors and apoptotic cells was unclear. Ki-67 antigen was expressed in nuclei of basal and parabasal cells of OKC lining epithelium, while apoptotic cells were found among superficial flattened cells. Many Ki-67 positive and apoptotic cells were observed in basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS)-associated OKCs.
