The Role of Vimentin 3 in Ameloblastomas: A Novel Tumor Biomarker

TL;DR

This study shows that Vimentin 3 is more active in a specific type of tooth-related tumor, suggesting it could be a new biomarker for diagnosis.

Contribution

The first investigation of Vimentin 3 expression in ameloblastomas, revealing its potential as a novel tumor biomarker.

Findings

Vimentin 3 levels were significantly higher in conventional ameloblastomas compared to other groups.

Mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the development of ameloblastomas.

Vimentin Full Length was not detected in epithelial components of any samples.

Abstract

Ameloblastoma (ABL), a common odontogenic tumor in the maxillofacial region, presents primarily as unicystic (U‐ABL) and conventional (C‐ABL) variants. Despite shared epithelial features, their distinct biological behaviors may stem from interactions between connective tissue and epithelial cells. Vimentin 3 (VIM3), a truncated variant of Vimentin‐Full Length (VIMFL), exhibits unique biological properties. This study is the first to investigate VIM3 expression in ABLs.

Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) samples of C‐ABL (n = 30), U‐ABL (n = 30), and dental follicles (DF, n = 30) were analyzed. Immunohistochemical evaluation of VIM3, VIMFL, WNT5a, and MTCO1 was performed, alongside qRT‐PCR for VIM3, VIMFL, WNT5a, ROR2, and miR‐498.

VIM3 expression was significantly higher in C‐ABL (p < 0.0001) compared to U‐ABL and DFs. VIMFL was absent in the epithelial components of all cases. C‐ABL showed significantly higher WNT5a (p < 0.0001) and MTCO1 (p = 0.0327) expression. qRT‐PCR revealed significant differences in VIM3 and miR‐498 levels between U‐ABL and DFs (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found for WNT5a, VIMFL, or ROR2 (p > 0.05).

This study identifies VIM3 expression in ABLs, distinct from VIMFL, suggesting its potential as a biomarker. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in ABL tumorigenesis.

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