Conclusion
These results suggest that Bcl-2 expression is a useful biomarker to predict recurrence of ameloblastomas, and as a therapeutic target molecule to prevent recurrence of ameloblastoma.
Methods
Public microarray data were analyzed. To evaluate their expression in ameloblastoma patients, immunohistochemical staining was performed in 89 human ameloblastoma tissues. Quantitative PCR was performed by use of ameloblastoma cell line (AM-1). Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis and western blotting were conducted following transfection with siRNA. Further, AM-1 cells were implanted in the renal subcapsular layer of immunodeficient mice.
Results
Microarray data analysis revealed that osteoprotegerin (OPG) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) were the two most upregulated genes in ameloblastoma. Only Bcl-2 expression was significantly (p = 0.020) associated with recurrence in conservative treatment group (n = 17) among 89 patients. Silencing of Bcl-2 increased apoptosis in AM-1 cells in vitro and inhibited tumor nodule formation of AM-1 cells in vivo.