Angiogenesis pattern and H3.3 histone mutation in aggressive and non-aggressive central giant cell lesions

The aim of this study was to evaluate angiogenesis in central giant cell lesions (CGCL) and its association with biological behavior. In addition, investigation of the histone H3.3 mutation was performed. Thirty-eight cases of CGCL were classified as aggressive (n = 9) or nonaggressive (n = 29). Cases were submitted to immunohistochemistry to compare angiogenesis using Wilms' tumor protein 1 (WT1), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) and endoglin (CD105) between groups. To verify the presence of genic mutation, histone H3.3 was investigated. WT1 was expressed in mononuclear and giant cells of all cases. CD31 and CD105 were expressed in CGCL microvessels, with a higher CD105 microvascular density than CD31. No statistically significant difference was observed between groups. None of the cases studied showed the histone mutation. There was no difference between aggressive and nonaggressive lesions regarding the angiogenic markers. The expression of WT1 and CD105 suggests that CGCL presents a tumoral vascular pattern with high neoangiogenic activity. The absence of histone mutation may indicate that CGCL is not a true giant cell tumor.