Serum levels of adhesion molecules in lichen planus and the effect of associated hepatitis C virus

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to measure the serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM-1], vascular adhesion molecule [VCAM-1] and E- selectin in lichen planus [LP] patients and to compare the levels of these adhesion molecules in LP patients associated with and without hepatitis C virus [HCV]. The serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE- selectin were measured by ELISA in 48 LP patients [38 classic and 10 actinic] and 24 healthy controls. Both patients and controls were screened for hepatitis C virus antibodies by ELISA technique. The serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were significantly higher in LP patients compared with the controls. Only sE-selectin was significantly higher in actinic patients compared with patients with classical LP. There was no significant difference in the studied parameters between patients with and without mucus membrane affection. Hepatitis C associated LP patients had significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 compared with hepatitis C negative patients. No significant difference in the levels of sE-selectin was found between the two groups