Odontogenic Keratocysts Arise from Quiescent Epithelial Rests and Are Associated with Deregulated Hedgehog Signaling in Mice and Humans

September 2006 in “ American Journal Of Pathology ”

Marina Grachtchouk, Jianhong Liu, Aiqin Wang, Lebing Wei, Christopher K. Bichakjian, William P. Meehan, Augusto F. G. Paulino, Thomas J. Giordano, Andrzej A. Dlugosz

Studysummary In this study, researchers found that overexpression of the Hedgehog signaling effector Gli2 in mice led to odontogenic keratocysts development, implicating GLI transcription factors in human keratocyst pathogenesis.

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The study concluded that odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) originated from quiescent epithelial rests and were linked to deregulated Hedgehog signaling in both mice and humans. This deregulation was significant in the development and behavior of OKCs, suggesting a neoplastic nature rather than a simple cystic lesion. The research highlighted the importance of the Hedgehog pathway in the pathogenesis of these cysts, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets for treatment.

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