RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in human ameloblastoma (AB) and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and investigate the relation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 with the pathologic characteristic of AB and OKC. METHODS: The specimens of 38 cases of AB, 10 cases of OKC, 7 cases of normal oral mucosa (NOM) were examined by streptovidin-biotin method. Their expression was analyzed combining the pathologic characteristics. RESULTS: Comparing AB with OKC and NOM, there was a significant difference in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P<0.05). The positive expression of ICAM-1 in AB was 65.2%, much higher than that in NOM(14.3%). There was no difference between the expression of ICAM-1 in OKC(60.0%) and in NOM. The positive vessels number stained by VCAM-1 in AB was significantly higher than that in OKC and NOM. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 had no correlation to age, sex, histological types, lesion locations(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 play an important role in genesis, development of AB and OKC and are related to cell differentiation and proliferation.