HIF-1α is Overexpressed in Odontogenic Keratocyst...

Natacha Malu Miranda da Costa, Caio Tadashi Saab Abe, Geovanni Pereira Mitre , Ricardo Alves Mesquita, Maria Sueli da Silva Kataoka, André Luis Ribeiro Ribeiro , Ruy Gastaldoni Jaeger, Sérgio de Melo Alves-Júnior, Andrew Mark Smith and João de Jesus Viana Pinheiro

Cells

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) are tumours that arise from cells or tissues associated with tooth development and are commonly located in jaw bones. OKC invade the surrounding tissue resulting significant loss in bone and soft tissue. The factors that drive this invasion are still not fully understood, but the loss in oxygen and the subsequent development of hypoxia is thought to be a key factor. This study characterised the hypoxic response in OKC using immunohistochemistry. 

Our results demonstrated that hypoxia is activating pathways and driving the expression of molecules that facilitate tissue destruction at the interface of the OKC and the healthy bone and soft tissue.  

Further wok will be conducted to determine the role of the genes that are upregulate by hypoxia in OKC development and potential strategies to block these invasive nature of this tumour.

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This work was supported by a grant from the UCL Global Engagement Fund (2017) designed to facilitate the setting up of a collaborative research project with Brazilian colleagues (University Centre of Para and Federal University of Para), to study ameloblastoma and keratocystic odontogenic tumours.