Odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) differ from other epithelial odontogenic cysts in regard of increased epithelial proliferation and detachment of epithelium from the connective tissue and a strong tendency to recur after removal. Laminin-5 (Ln-5) is an anchoring filament component connecting the epithelial cells to the basement membranes (BMs). MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase -2) is able to specifically degrade Ln-5 gamma 2 chain inducing epithelial cell migration. The objectives of this study was to find out whether there is any similarity in the expression of Lam-5 and different MMPs using methods of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Our results showed that Ln-5 gamma 2 chain was located as a continuous ribbon only in BM zone of all OKCs. MMP-13 positive signals were primarily found in the epithelial cells and BM of OKCs. In all odontogenic cysts studied MMP-2 immunoreactivity was present in epithelial cells, but mainly in OKCs in BM area as well. As a conclusion we suggest that the co-localization of Ln-5 with MMP-2 or MMP-13 in BM zone of OKCs may affect on the high epithelial cell proliferation and detachment of the epithelium from the stroma as well as on the high recurrence rate of OKC comparing the other odontogenic cysts.

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