Assessment of pi3k/akt and mapk/erk pathways activation in oral lymphangiomas

Objectives Lymphangiomas are developmental lymphatic malformations. PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways activation occur in isolated vascular malformation and in vascular malformation associated with syndromes such as CLOVES and Klippel-Trenaunay. We aimed to assess the activation of these pathways in oral lymphangiomas. Study Design A convenience sample of 14 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of oral lymphangiomas underwent immunohistochemical reactions for the phosphorylated forms of AKT (pAKT-Ser473) and ERK1/2 (pERK1/2 Thr202/Tyr204). Positive and negative controls were included in the immunohistochemical reactions. The immunohistochemical results were evaluated by 2 investigators under light microscopy. Nuclear and cytoplasmic staining in the endothelial cells of oral lymphangiomas lymphatic vessels were considered as a positive reaction, regardless of staining intensity. Results The pAKT immunostaining pattern showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic positive staining in endothelial cells and pERK1/2 showed nuclear positive staining in endothelial cells in all samples of lymphangiomas evaluated. Conclusions Our results suggest that PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway activation participates in the pathogenesis of oral lymphangiomas. Lymphangiomas are developmental lymphatic malformations. PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways activation occur in isolated vascular malformation and in vascular malformation associated with syndromes such as CLOVES and Klippel-Trenaunay. We aimed to assess the activation of these pathways in oral lymphangiomas. A convenience sample of 14 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of oral lymphangiomas underwent immunohistochemical reactions for the phosphorylated forms of AKT (pAKT-Ser473) and ERK1/2 (pERK1/2 Thr202/Tyr204). Positive and negative controls were included in the immunohistochemical reactions. The immunohistochemical results were evaluated by 2 investigators under light microscopy. Nuclear and cytoplasmic staining in the endothelial cells of oral lymphangiomas lymphatic vessels were considered as a positive reaction, regardless of staining intensity. The pAKT immunostaining pattern showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic positive staining in endothelial cells and pERK1/2 showed nuclear positive staining in endothelial cells in all samples of lymphangiomas evaluated. Our results suggest that PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway activation participates in the pathogenesis of oral lymphangiomas.