ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the mechanism of IL-17, the signature cytokine produced by Th17 cells, in OLP lesion. Methods 24 patients with reticular OLP, 19 patients with atrophic-erosive OLP and 13 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study . Real-time quantitative PCR ( real-time qPCR ) was performed to analyze the expressions of the production of IL-17 and CCL20 mRNA. Results The expressions of IL-17 mRNA in reticular OLP and atrophic-erosive OLP were significant higher than that in healthy oral mucosa (P = 0.0095, P <0.0001, respectively), meanwhile, remarkable increased IL-17 expression in atrophic-erosive OLP group was found compared with reticular OLP group (P = 0.0012). Additionally, the expressions of CCL20 mRNA in reticular OLP and atrophic-erosive OLP were significant higher than that in control group (P=0.0357, P<0.0001, respectively), meanwhile, CCL20 expression in atrophic-erosive OLP was higher than that in reticular OLP. The expressions of CCL20 mRNA rises with the increased expression of IL-17, and were positive correlated with IL-17 expressions in OLP lesions (P=0.003). Conclusions IL-17 production can induce chemokine CCL20 expression in OLP lesion. The signal pathway may promote the migration and infiltration of inflammatory cells in OLP lesions.
ABSTRACT
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease with unknown aetiology. T helper cells appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP. We investigated the possible role of T helper cells, Th1 and Th17, in the lesions and circulation of patients with OLP. Forty patients with OLP and 15 healthy volunteers were recruited. Double immunofluorescence staining was used to detect Th1 and Th17 cells in the OLP lesions, and intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry to evaluate the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood. The levels of serum interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 were assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that Th17 cells, as well as Th1 cells, were present in OLP lesions. The proportion of peripheral Th1 and Th17 cells was significantly increased in patients with OLP. The proportion of Th17 cells in atrophic-erosive OLP was elevated as compared with that in reticular OLP. Serum IL-17 levels in OLP patients were significantly higher than in controls, and those in the atrophic-erosive OLP group were increased as compared with the reticular OLP group. However, the levels of serum IFN-γ were slightly decreased in OLP patients. Our data suggested that Th1 and Th17 cells in the local lesions and peripheral blood may be associated with the pathogenesis of OLP, and that IL-17 may be an important proinflammatory cytokine in OLP. These findings enhance our understanding of OLP pathogenesis.
ABSTRACT
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease with unknown aetiology. T helper cells appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP. We investigated the possible role of T helper cells, Th1 and Th17, in the lesions and circulation of patients with OLP. Forty patients with OLP and 15 healthy volunteers were recruited. Double immunofluorescence staining was used to detect Th1 and Th17 cells in the OLP lesions, and intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry to evaluate the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood. The levels of serum interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 were assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that Th17 cells, as well as Th1 cells, were present in OLP lesions. The proportion of peripheral Th1 and Th17 cells was significantly increased in patients with OLP. The proportion of Th17 cells in atrophic-erosive OLP was elevated as compared with that in reticular OLP. Serum IL-17 levels in OLP patients were significantly higher than in controls, and those in the atrophic-erosive OLP group were increased as compared with the reticular OLP group. However, the levels of serum IFN-γ were slightly decreased in OLP patients. Our data suggested that Th1 and Th17 cells in the local lesions and peripheral blood may be associated with the pathogenesis of OLP, and that IL-17 may be an important proinflammatory cytokine in OLP. These findings enhance our understanding of OLP pathogenesis.