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Epithelial cell proliferation in oral lichen planus
Y Taniguchi1, T Nagao, H Maeda
1Second Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Department of Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan.
Cell Proliferation
|July 26, 2002
Summary
Oral lichen planus (OLP) shows increased epithelial cell proliferation, indicated by a higher Ki67 labelling index compared to normal controls. This heightened cell turnover in OLP may be linked to inflammatory damage, not directly to p53 expression.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell biology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) pathogenesis remains unclear.
- A subset of OLP cases may transform into oral cancer.
- Understanding OLP epithelial cell behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate epithelial cell proliferation in OLP.
- To correlate the Ki67 labelling index (LI) with microscopic OLP features.
- To assess p53 expression in OLP lesions.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of MIB and p53 antibodies on 44 OLP biopsies and 10 normal controls.
- Quantification of Ki67 labelling index (LI).
- Analysis of LI in relation to epithelial morphology and p53 expression.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher Ki67 LI in OLP compared to normal controls.
- 64% of OLP lesions exhibited p53 positivity.
- No significant association found between p53 expression and Ki67 LI.
- Atrophic and flat epithelia showed higher LI, similar to acanthotic biopsies.
Conclusions:
- Increased epithelial cell proliferation in OLP is likely a reactive process.
- Inflammatory cell infiltration in the submucosa may drive keratinocyte damage and proliferation.
- Further research is needed to clarify OLP's malignant transformation potential.