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NF-kappaB expression in oral and cutaneous lichen planus
Amerigo Santoro1, Alessandra Majorana, Elena Bardellini
1Department of Odontostomatology, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
The Journal of Pathology
|November 5, 2003
Summary
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation is increased in lichen planus (LP), particularly in oral LP, correlating with cytotoxic T-cell infiltration and disease severity. This suggests NF-kappaB as a therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory LP.
Area of Science:
- Immunodermatology
- Molecular biology
- Inflammation research
Background:
- Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting skin and mucous membranes.
- Its pathogenesis, involving T-cell responses and epithelial damage, remains incompletely understood.
- Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation is implicated in chronic inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate NF-kappaB expression in cutaneous (CLP) and oral lichen planus (OLP).
- To correlate NF-kappaB levels with cytotoxic T-cell infiltration.
- To explore the role of NF-kappaB in LP pathogenesis and disease variation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze NF-kappaB expression.
- 25 cutaneous LP and 28 oral LP cases were examined.
- Expression was correlated with cytotoxic T-cell markers (Tia-1, perforin).
Main Results:
- Nuclear NF-kappaB was detected in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes in all LP cases; normal epithelium was negative.
- Oral LP showed significantly higher NF-kappaB-positive keratinocytes than cutaneous LP (89.32 vs. 22.6).
- Epithelial NF-kappaB expression positively correlated with cytotoxic T-cell infiltration (p<0.02).
Conclusions:
- Increased NF-kappaB activity in LP keratinocytes may sustain the inflammatory response.
- Differences in NF-kappaB expression between OLP and CLP may explain varying clinical behavior.
- Targeting NF-kappaB could be a therapeutic strategy for lichen planus.