Immunolocalization of Heparanase in Ameloblastoma and Other Odontogenic Tumors

• Published in: Journal of Hard Tissue Biology 2005, Vol.14(2), pp.232-233
• Main Authors: Han, Phuu Pwint, Katase, Naoki, Tamamura, Ryo, Win, Swe Swe, Okada, Hiroji, Nakayama, Yukio, Nagatuska, Hitoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; jpn
• ISSN: 1341-7649; 1880-828X
• DOI: 10.2485/jhtb.14.232

「Introduction」Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG) are the integral molecules of the basement membrane (BM) and the cell membrane. They have certain important functional roles in cellular signaling and the extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly. Their heparan sulphate chains (HS) serve as the extracellular matrix reservoir for a variety of bioactive molecules including growth factors, morphogens and enzymes. Heparanase is the mammalian endo-b-glucuronidase enzyme, which selectively cleave HS chains at specific sites. Heparanase is known to be an important determinant in dissemination and invasion of cells associated with inflammation, cancer invasion and metastasis through degradation of BM and ECM and also through the release of HS bound growth factors for cell proliferation. Based on these interesting functions and roles of HSPGs and heparanase, we studied their localization in ameloblastoma and other odontogenic tumors. 「Materials and methods」Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded odontogenic tumors were used.