Glypican-3 Expression in Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst and Radicular Cyst

Glypican-3 is a cell surface protein, a member of glypican family and belongs to a group of heparin sulfate proteoglycan bound to the cell membrane through a glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol anchor. GPC3 is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and morphogenesis. Considering the distinct clinical behavior of odontogenic lesions, the aim of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of GPC3 in dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst and radicular cyst.
In this descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study, 60 tissue samples of odontogenic cysts consist of 20 radicular cysts (RC), 20 odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and 20 dentigerous cysts (DC) were reviewed by immunohistochemistry staining for GPC3 marker.
In this study, both membranous and cytoplasmic expression of glypican-3 was observed. GPC3 expression was seen in 60% of OKCs (12/20). No GPC3 immunoreactivity was seen in DCs and RCs.
A high expression rate of GPC3 was detected in OKC, which might be related to the aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate of OKC; however, further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.