Comparative Evaluation of Sall4 Immunohistochemical Expression in Ameloblastoma, Odontogenic Keratocyst & Dental Follicle – A Qualitative Study.

Background: SALL4 (Spalt like transcription factor 4) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. Its expression is downregulated after birth and is absent in most adult human tissues. Specifically, its expression in adult tissues is restricted to germ cells, except for human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. However, its high expression and dysregulation have been demonstrated in several types of cancer. It has been reported that ameloblastic cells originate from odontogenic stem cells located in the dental lamina and that tumors are likely initiated in normal stem cells that contain a perpetual minority of cancer stem cells. Despite being a benign tumor, the biological behaviour of ameloblastoma is aggressive & recent development in management aspect couldn't lower the rate of recurrence. The purpose of the study is to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of SALL4, its role in biological behavior of ameloblastoma, OKC and Dental follicle. The role of stem cells in the genesis and progression of the odontogenic lesions. Method: All formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks (n = 02) for each studied group were SALL4 immuno-histostained and then assessed under compound microscope. IHC staining Results: for SALL4 was predominantly observed in the epithelial cells of the tumor islands. Stem cell may be Conclusions: related to the origin and progression of odontogenic tumors and cysts as SALL4 play a significant role in the biologic behavior of ameloblastoma, OKC and other lesions of odontogenic origin.