RT Journal Article
T1 Ameloblastomas Exhibit Stem Cell Potential, Possess Neurotrophic Properties, and Establish Connections with Trigeminal Neurons
A1 Pagella, Pierfrancesco
A1 Catón Vázquez, Francisco Javier
A1 Meisel, Christian T.
A1 Mitsiadis, Thimios A.
AB Ameloblastomas are locally invasive and aggressive odontogenic tumors treated via surgical resection, which results in facial deformity and significant morbidity. Few studies have addressed the cellular and molecular events of ameloblastoma onset and progression, thus hampering the development of non-invasive therapeutic approaches. Tumorigenesis is driven by a plethora of factors, among which innervation has been long neglected. Recent findings have shown that innervation directly promotes tumor progression. On this basis, we investigated the molecular characteristics and neurotrophic properties of human ameloblastomas. Our results showed that ameloblastomas express dental epithelial stem cell markers, as well as components of the Notch signaling pathway, indicating persistence of stemness. We demonstrated that ameloblastomas express classical stem cell markers, exhibit stem cell potential, and form spheres. These tumors express also molecules of the Notch signaling pathway, fundamental for stem cells and their fate. Additionally, we showed that ameloblastomas express the neurotrophic factors NGF and BDNF, as well as their receptors TRKA, TRKB, and P75/NGFR, which are responsible for their innervation by trigeminal axons in vivo. In vitro studies using microfluidic devices showed that ameloblastoma cells attract and form connections with these nerves. Innervation of ameloblastomas might play a key role in the onset of this malignancy and might represent a promising target for non-invasive pharmacological interventions.
PB MDPI
SN 2073-4409
YR 2020
FD 2020-03-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/8163
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/8163
LA eng
NO Pagella, P., Catón Vázquez, F. J., Meisel, C. T. et al. «Ameloblastomas Exhibit Stem Cell Potential, Possess Neurotrophic Properties, and Establish Connections with Trigeminal Neurons». Cells, vol. 9, n.o 3, marzo de 2020, p. 644. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9030644.
NO Universidad de Zúrich/Swiss Cancer Research League
DS Docta Complutense
RD 19 abr 2025