Original Research Article

Immunohistochemical expression of CD163, vimentin, and nerve growth factor receptor in giant cell fibroma of oral mucosa (A cross-sectional study)

¹ Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
² Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University Of Buffalo, New Yark, United States

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 13 May 2024
Accepted: 3 May 2026

Abstract

Objectives: Giant cell fibroma (GCF) is a rare oral mucosal lesion characterized by the presence of giant and stellate cells within its fibrous stroma. This study aimed to investigate the cellular origin and immunophenotypic profile of GCF, with particular emphasis on evaluating histiocytic and possible neural differentiation using vimentin, CD163, and nerve growth factor receptor (p75NTR). Material and methods: A total of 61 paraffin-embedded tissue sections of GCF were obtained from the archives at the College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad between 2010-2024 and stained immunohistochemically for vimentin, CD163, and p75NTR. Results: Vimentin and CD163 showed strong positivity in stromal and giant cells, with an average of 73.75% and 59.2%, respectively. However, a cytoplasmic staining of p75NTR was observed in all patients without membranous reactivity. Conclusion: The findings suggest a fibro-histiocytic origin of GCF with limited evidence of neural differentiation, which requires further investigation