LAUSR

Background Syndecan-1 (SDC1) is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan (also known as CD138), participates in odontogenesis, and is known to regulate cytoskeletal organization, growth factor signaling, cell–cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix attachment. Loss of expression of SDC1 is associated with tissue invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Objective To study the syndecan expression in solid and unicystic ameloblastoma and to assess and compare the distribution of the SDC1 in various cellular components of the solid multicystic and unicystic ameloblastoma and correlate with their differentiation and biological behavior. Methods Samples in this study consisted of 50 cases: 25 cases of solid multicystic ameloblastoma and 25 cases of unicystic ameloblastoma. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were immunohistochemically analyzed for SDC1 markers. Expression of syndecan was measured under 400 × magnification in the solid ameloblastoma in epithelium where lesional cells are composed of 4 types of cellular components: peripheral basal cells of tumor nests, central stellate reticulum-like cells, and foci of squamous and granular cells. Unicystic ameloblastoma was checked for its cystic lining. Stromal expression of SDC1 was also evaluated in fibroblast-like or spindle cells. Plasma cells served as internal controls for the study. The findings were statistically analyzed. Results Comparison of the epithelial cell scoring was higher in unicystic than in solid ameloblastomas. However, the stromal expression was greater in solid ameloblastomas, moderately increased around the follicles and to a lesser extent in the deeper connective tissues. Conclusions Syndecan proved to be a useful marker to assess and compare the biologic behavior of solid and unicystic ameloblastomas.