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ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2017 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 1 | Page : 28-32 |
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Cancer stem cell markers, SOX 2 and OCT 4 in ameloblastoma and keratocystic odontogenic tumor: An immunohistochemical study
Alokenath Bandyopadhyay, Roquaiya Nishat, Shyam Sundar Behura, Abikshyeet Panda, Sujatha Ramachandra, Gouse Mohiddin
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Date of Web Publication | 28-Feb-2017 |
Correspondence Address: Shyam Sundar Behura Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0976-7428.201087
Background: SOX 2 and OCT 4 are cancer stem cell (CSC) markers required for the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of stem cells. They have been found to play a role in tumorigenesis. This study was conducted to detect and compare the expression of CSC markers OCT 4 and SOX 2 in ameloblastoma and keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) and to evaluate which marker better stains the stem cell population in the above-mentioned entities. Materials and Methods: Paraffin sections of 15 KCOT's and 15 solid multicystic ameloblastomas were obtained from the archives. Immunohistochemical staining for OCT 4 and SOX 2 was performed using monoclonal rabbit antibodies (PathnSitu Biotechnologies Pvt. Ltd). Immunopositivity was determined on the basis of dark brown staining of nucleus and a total of 1000 cells were counted in five representative areas at a magnification of ×400. Results: No OCT 4 positivity was found in ameloblastoma or KCOT. Ameloblastoma showed SOX 2 negativity while high SOX 2 expression was found in KCOT. Conclusion: SOX 2 is a more reliable marker for identifying stem cell population in KCOT. High expression pattern of SOX 2 in KCOT may also explain the aggressive nature of lesion and account for the presence of numerous daughter cysts responsible for its high recurrence rate, and hence, may be helpful to justify its reclassification as a tumor. Targeted therapies may be designed against these CSC populations to render more effective treatment, prevent recurrence, and reduce morbidity of the patients. Keywords: Cancer stem cells, OCT 4, odontogenic tumors, SOX 2
How to cite this article: Bandyopadhyay A, Nishat R, Behura SS, Panda A, Ramachandra S, Mohiddin G. Cancer stem cell markers, SOX 2 and OCT 4 in ameloblastoma and keratocystic odontogenic tumor: An immunohistochemical study. J Int Oral Health 2017;9:28-32 |
How to cite this URL: Bandyopadhyay A, Nishat R, Behura SS, Panda A, Ramachandra S, Mohiddin G. Cancer stem cell markers, SOX 2 and OCT 4 in ameloblastoma and keratocystic odontogenic tumor: An immunohistochemical study. J Int Oral Health [serial online] 2017 [cited 2023 Dec 9];9:28-32. Available from: https://www.jioh.org/text.asp?2017/9/1/28/201087 |
Introduction | |  |
Odontogenic tumors are a group of heterogeneous lesions ranging from hamartomatous or nonneoplastic tissue proliferations to malignant neoplasms with metastatic capabilities.[1] These arise from epithelial, ectomesenchymal, and/or mesenchymal elements that are or have been part of the tooth-forming apparatus, when aberrations occur in the normal process of odontogenesis.[1],[2]
The development and progression of these tumors involve a series of genetic and molecular alterations.[3] Moreover, these tumors are aggressive in nature and tend to recur, the exact mechanism of which still remains unclear. This may be attributed to the presence of stem cell population called the cancer stem cells (CSCs).[4],[5],[6] These CSCs are defined as a small subpopulation of cancer cells that constitute a pool of self-sustaining cells with the exclusive ability to cause the heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that comprise the tumor.[7],[8],[9] These cells have three main characteristics: potent tumor initiation, self-renewal in vivo, and differentiation capacity allowing them to give rise to a heterogeneous progeny which represents a phenocopy of the original tumor.[8],[10] They arise from normal stem cells or progenitor cells, which undergo further genetic alterations, become dedifferentiated, and acquire CSC features.[8],[11] They may originate from the fusion of a hematopoietic stem cell with a mutated epithelial somatic cell or from dedifferentiation of a mature cell.[12],[13],[14],[15]
CSC isolation techniques have led to profiling of subpopulation of cells such as stemness-related genes which include transcription factors such as SOX 2 and OCT 4, which are required for the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal.[16],[17],[18] Sex-determining region Y-box2 ([SRY] (SOX 2) is a transcription factor involved in maintenance of embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency, multiple developmental processes, maintenance of differential potential of stem cells, and maintenance of homeostasis of stratified squamous epithelium.[12],[19] SOX 2 promotes ectodermal development in the earliest ESC differentiation stage, which gives rise to the odontogenic epithelium.[19] SOX 2 has also been found to play a role in tumorigenesis including skin squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, and lung and breast cancer.[20] OCT 4 is a class V, Pit-1, OCT 4, Unc-86 (POU) domain family of octamer-binding transcription factor, located on chromosome 6 in humans which plays a critical role in the development and self-renewal of ESCs and has been linked to oncogenic processes.[21],[22]
Among the various odontogenic tumors encountered in the oral and maxillofacial region, ameloblastomas account for 36.9% while keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) accounts for 14.3% of all odontogenic tumors.[23] Very few studies have been done to investigate the expression pattern and role of SOX 2 and OCT 4 in odontogenic lesions. This study aims at detection and comparison of stem cells in the above-mentioned two odontogenic tumors using two potential markers, namely, SOX 2 and OCT 4, and to determine which marker is more suitable for identification of stem cells in odontogenic lesions. Our study appears to be the first one in India, to do so.
Materials and Methods | |  |
The present study aimed at detection and comparison of the expression of stem cell markers, OCT 4 and SOX 2, in ameloblastoma and KCOT. Approval from the Institute Ethics Committee (Reference No.: KIMS/KIIT/IEC/48/2016) was taken before pursuing the research project. A retrospective study was planned and paraffin wax blocks of 15 histopathologically diagnosed cases of KCOT's and 15 solid multicystic ameloblastomas (SMA) were included in the study. Cases without proper epithelial lining in regard to KCOT and cases of unicystic ameloblastoma were excluded from the study. The paraffin blocks were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar. Two sections each of 4 µm sections were obtained and subjected to immunohistochemical staining for OCT 4 and SOX 2 using PolyExcel HRP/DAB detection system (PathnSitu Biotechnologies Pvt. Ltd). The sections were deparaffinized, rehydrated, and subjected to antigen retrieval using pressure cooker technique by immersing the sections in tris ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid buffer. The sections were then subjected to peroxide block for 15 min to block endogenous peroxide activity and incubated with the primary antibodies for 45 min at room temperature in a humid chamber. The primary antibodies used were anti-SOX 2 and anti-OCT 4 monoclonal rabbit antibodies, PathnSitu Biotechnologies Pvt. Ltd. The sections were then subjected to treatment with target binder and HRP polymer for 12 min each, followed by application of DAB chromogen for 5 min. In between the steps, the sections were washed using the immunowash buffer. Hematoxylin was used as a counterstain. The slides were then washed in running tap water for 5 min, dehydrated in ascending grades of alcohol, subjected to treatment with xylene for clearing, mounted using DPX, and air dried. Seminoma and glioma were used as the positive controls for OCT 4 and SOX 2, respectively.
Immunohistochemical analysis
Three blinded investigators independently evaluated the results of immunostaining. Immunopositivity was determined on the basis of dark brown staining of nucleus of the tumor cells. The sections were quantitatively analyzed. Five high-power fields (×400) were randomly selected in each case, and a total of 1000 cells were counted by each investigator. Average count was determined in each case. Counts were expressed as percentages and a scoring index was allotted. If <5% of the nuclei showed positivity, it was considered negative. If the percentage ranged between 5% and 25%, 26% and 50%, and >50%, scores of 1, 2, and 3 were allotted, respectively. Results were descriptively analyzed.
Results | |  |
All the KCOT cases were widely positive for SOX 2 [Figure 1], whereas ameloblastoma showed negative staining for SOX 2 [Figure 2]. Both ameloblastoma and KCOT cases selected for the study showed negative staining for OCT 4 [Figure 3] and [Figure 4]. Out of 15 KCOT cases, three cases were allotted a score of 2 while 10 cases were assigned a score of 3, i.e., more than 50% of the cells showed immunopositivity [Figure 5]. Most of the positively stained cells were situated in the basal and suprabasal layer. | Figure 1: Immunohistochemical expression of SOX 2 in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (×40)
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 | Figure 2: Immunohistochemical expression of SOX 2 in ameloblastoma (×40)
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 | Figure 3: Immunohistochemical expression of OCT 4 in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (×40)
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 | Figure 4: Immunohistochemical expression of OCT 4 in ameloblastoma (×40)
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 | Figure 5: Graph representing percentage of immunohistochemical expression of SOX 2 in keratocystic odontogenic tumor
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Discussion | |  |
The study of the comparison of immunohistochemical expression of SOX 2 and OCT 4 in KCOT and ameloblastoma appears to be the first of its kind in India. OCT 4 belongs to Class V POU domain family of octamer-binding transcription factor family, which plays a key role in maintenance and reestablishment of pluripotency.[21] OCT 4 in humans is the product of OTF3 gene, and exists in the form of three isoforms, namely, OCT 4A, OCT 4B, and OCT 4B1.[24] Among these three isoforms, OCT 4A has been demonstrated to be able to maintain the stemness property in pluripotent stem cells. OCT 4 is highly expressed in the pluripotent embryonic cells and germ cells, but its expression rapidly decreases upon differentiation.[22] During embryonic development, OCT 4 expression is detected in morula stage, which increases in early blastocyst and declines in late blastocyst stage. In the blastocyst stage, when the cells differentiate to inner cell mass (ICM) and trophoectoderm (TE), OCT 4 expression is maintained only in ICM and downregulated in TE.[25],[26] OCT 4 has been linked to oncogenic processes, its expression upregulated in a population of spheroid-derived cells from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. It has also been suggested as a marker indicating invasiveness and chemoresistance.[27],[28],[29]
SOX 2 protein contains a high mobility group domain, which has above 50% similarity to the mammalian testis-determining factor SRY.[30] SOX 2 is required for self-renewal and differentiation of ESCs.[19] Moreover, it has been linked to the process of tumorigenesis. It has also been linked to aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer, urothelial carcinoma, breast carcinoma, esophageal carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma.[20]
In our study, we did not find a positive expression for either of the two markers in SMA. Similar negative expression of SOX 2 in ameloblastoma was obtained by Lei et al. and Banerjee et al.[30],[31] This might suggest the lack of a CSC subpopulation in ameloblastoma.[32] However, Juuri et al. reported positive SOX 2 expression in the epithelial cells of follicular and plexiform ameloblastomas.[33]
Since the expression of OCT 4 rapidly decreases upon differentiation, it would explain the negative results obtained in both ameloblastoma and KCOT where the cells have differentiated to cap/bell stage of odontogenesis and stratified squamous epithelium, respectively.[22]
Heikinheimo et al. and Banerjee et al. found the expression of epithelial stem cell marker SOX 2 to be significantly upregulated in KCOT which was in accordance with our study.[31],[34] This may be since the cells in the basal and suprabasal layer of epithelium in KCOT have the property of dedifferentiation.[30] This may also suggest that KCOT shows differentiation toward keratinocytes. Expression of SOX 2 has been found to be proportional to the rate of progression of the disease.[35] High SOX 2 expression in KCOT as found in our study may explain the high mitotic index and aggressive nature of the lesion. Moreover, the property of dedifferentiation of the basal and suprabasal cells in KCOT may explain the recurrence due to satellite cysts. These findings justify the reclassification of this entity as a tumor.
Among other odontogenic lesions, SOX 2 is expressed in the epithelial basal proliferative zone in dentigerous cysts.[30] Lei et al. evaluated the role of SOX 2 in ameloblastoma, atypical ameloblastoma (AA), and ameloblastic carcinoma (AC). They found SOX 2 staining to be essentially negative in most of the ameloblastoma and AA cases while a significantly higher immunohistochemistry (IHC) score was seen in AC. They concluded that SOX 2 could be used as a marker for AC as well as for high-grade transformation in ameloblastic neoplasms.[30] Banerjee et al. performed IHC in dentigerous cyst, radicular cyst, adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT), and AC using SOX 2 and OCT 4. In dentigerous cyst, SOX 2 showed nuclear positivity in basal cells while OCT 4 showed negative immunoreactivity. OCT 4 positivity was seen in very few suprabasal cells of odontogenic epithelium in radicular cysts. AOT showed positive expression for both SOX 2 and OCT 4 in its tumor component. In AC, SOX 2 showed intense positive nuclear immunoexpression in tumor cells while OCT 4 staining showed positivity in few tumor cells interspersed between stromal cells.[31] [Table 1] gives a systematic review of various immunohistochemical studies done on odontogenic lesions using stem cell markers, SOX 2 and OCT 4. | Table 1: Systematic review of various immunohistochemical studies done on odontogenic lesions using stem cell markers, SOX 2 and OCT 4
Click here to view |
KCOTs have a tendency to recur after surgical treatment. This has been attributed to various factors such as occurrence of satellite cysts which may be retained during a surgical procedure, incomplete enucleation procedure, thin fragile lining of KCOT which are difficult to enucleate and may be left behind, innate tendency of the patients to develop cysts from any dental lamina remnant, intrinsic growth potential of the epithelial lining of the entity or to the fact that these may also arise from proliferations of offshoots of the basal layer of oral mucosa, and the failure of removal of the overlying epithelium may result in recurrence.[36] We here hypothesize the presence of CSC population as a possible reason for recurrence of KCOTs as these cells have the property of self-renewal and pluripotency. Thus, targeting these cells may help in preventing the recurrence of these lesions.
Conclusion | |  |
Our study showed high SOX 2 expression in KCOT, thus making SOX 2 a more reliable marker for identifying stem cell population in KCOT. Based on the results obtained by our study and evidence from literature, it can be stated that SOX 2 is a better marker than OCT 4 for identifying stem cells in odontogenic lesions. The drawback of our study was the limited sample size. More immunohistochemical studies with increased sample size along with CSC isolation techniques (in vitro - sphere-forming assays, Hoechst dye exclusion, detection of surface markers, signalling pathway identification, serial colony-forming unit assays, label-retention assays, migration assays; in vivo - serial transplantation in animal models) have to be undertaken for identification and isolation of these CSC population.[37] Accordingly, target-based therapies can be designed against these cells for effective management, prevention of recurrence, and reduction of morbidity and mortality of patients.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]
[Table 1]
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