Cell proliferation markers in the odontogenic keratocyst: effect of inflammation

The immunohistochemical expression of PCNA and Ki-67 proteins and the histo chemical expression of AgNORs were studied in 20 odontogenic keratocysts in order to assess the relationship between epithelial cell proliferation and inflammation within the capsule. Immunostained cells were quantified by co nventional methods, and both quantitative and morphometric analyses of AgNO Rs were performed by TV image analysis. Non-inflamed odontogenic keratocyst s showed a typical epithelial lining and inflamed odontogenic keratocysts w ere lined also by hyperplastic non-keratinized stratified squamous epitheli um. A statistically significant increase of PCNA(+) and Ki-67(+) cells and of AgNOR numbers was detected in the linings of inflamed odontogenic kerato cysts compared to non-inflamed lesions. The results suggest the existence o f greater proliferative activity in the epithelial cells of inflamed odonto genic keratocysts, which may be associated with the disruption of the typic al structure of odontogenic keratocyst linings.