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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Exploratory Expression Analysis of Stem Cell and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Ameloblastoma

by
Luis Alberto Martínez-Marcial
1,
Josué Orlando Ramírez-Jarquín
2,
Francisco German Villanueva-Sánchez
3,
Javier Portilla-Robertson
1,
Carla Monserrat Ramírez-Martínez
1,
David Alonso Trejo-Remigio
1,
Claudia Patricia Mejía-Velázquez
1,
Luis Pablo Cruz-Hervert
1,4,* and
Luis Fernando Jacinto-Alemán
1,*
1
Postgraduate and Research Division, Dentistry School, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
2
Neurosciences Division, Cellular Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
3
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dental School, ENES-Leon, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Guanajuato 37684, Mexico
4
Departamento de Epidemiología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(10), 4645; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104645
Submission received: 24 March 2026 / Revised: 19 May 2026 / Accepted: 20 May 2026 / Published: 21 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biomarkers in Oral Pathology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a common benign odontogenic tumor. Its etiology has been associated with dysregulation of the MAPK and SHH pathways, and new theories suggest that tumor stem cells (TSCs) and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) are participants in their pathogenesis. Objective: To determine the immunohistochemical expression of SOX2 and CD44 as indicators of TSCs and the gene expression of vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and FGFR1 as indicators of the EMT in conventional, unicystic, and peripheral ameloblastoma. Materials and Methods: Conventional, unicystic, and peripheral ameloblastomas and dental follicles, as a control group, were analyzed by peroxidase immunohistochemistry assays for SOX2 and CD44 as TSC-related markers, and the EMT relationship was determined by RT-qPCR expression for vimentin (VIM), alpha smooth muscle actin (ACTA2), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), and GAPDH as a control. Results: The most affected anatomical site was the mandible, with an average age of 38.03 (±20.95) years. SOX2 and CD44 immunoexpression were significantly higher in conventional ameloblastoma. RT-qPCR results showed predominant non-significant expression of VIM, ACTA2, and FGFR1 in unicystic ameloblastoma compared to other ameloblastoma types. Conclusion: The significantly higher immunoexpression of SOX2 and CD44 in conventional subtypes could suggest a greater presence of TSCs, and predominant VIM, ACTA2, and FGFR1 gene expression in unicystic ameloblastoma could suggest the possibility of EMT processes related to cystic formation. More research on TSCs and the EMT is necessary to elucidate this finding.
Keywords: ameloblastoma; tumor stem cells; epithelial–mesenchymal transition; RTq-PCR; immunohistochemistry ameloblastoma; tumor stem cells; epithelial–mesenchymal transition; RTq-PCR; immunohistochemistry

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MDPI and ACS Style

Martínez-Marcial, L.A.; Ramírez-Jarquín, J.O.; Villanueva-Sánchez, F.G.; Portilla-Robertson, J.; Ramírez-Martínez, C.M.; Trejo-Remigio, D.A.; Mejía-Velázquez, C.P.; Cruz-Hervert, L.P.; Jacinto-Alemán, L.F. Exploratory Expression Analysis of Stem Cell and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Ameloblastoma. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 4645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104645

AMA Style

Martínez-Marcial LA, Ramírez-Jarquín JO, Villanueva-Sánchez FG, Portilla-Robertson J, Ramírez-Martínez CM, Trejo-Remigio DA, Mejía-Velázquez CP, Cruz-Hervert LP, Jacinto-Alemán LF. Exploratory Expression Analysis of Stem Cell and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Ameloblastoma. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(10):4645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104645

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martínez-Marcial, Luis Alberto, Josué Orlando Ramírez-Jarquín, Francisco German Villanueva-Sánchez, Javier Portilla-Robertson, Carla Monserrat Ramírez-Martínez, David Alonso Trejo-Remigio, Claudia Patricia Mejía-Velázquez, Luis Pablo Cruz-Hervert, and Luis Fernando Jacinto-Alemán. 2026. "Exploratory Expression Analysis of Stem Cell and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Ameloblastoma" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 10: 4645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104645

APA Style

Martínez-Marcial, L. A., Ramírez-Jarquín, J. O., Villanueva-Sánchez, F. G., Portilla-Robertson, J., Ramírez-Martínez, C. M., Trejo-Remigio, D. A., Mejía-Velázquez, C. P., Cruz-Hervert, L. P., & Jacinto-Alemán, L. F. (2026). Exploratory Expression Analysis of Stem Cell and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Ameloblastoma. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(10), 4645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27104645

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