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ALK1 expression in oral lichen planus: a possible relation to microvessel density
Hala H A Hazzaa1,2, Naglaa M El-Wakeel1, Enas A S Attia3
1Oral Medicine, Diagnosis, Periodontology and Radiology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Al Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt.
Summary
Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) expression and microvessel density (MVD) are elevated in oral lichen planus (OLP), especially in the atrophic/erosive form. These findings suggest ALK1 may play a role in OLP pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with varying clinical presentations.
- Microvessel density (MVD) and specific molecular markers are implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) in different OLP subtypes.
- To assess microvessel density (MVD) using CD34 as a marker.
- To investigate the correlation between ALK1 expression and MVD in OLP.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of ALK1 and CD34 expression in biopsies from reticular/papular OLP (R/PLP), atrophic/erosive OLP (A/ELP), and healthy controls.
- Statistical comparison and correlation of ALK1 expression and MVD (CD34).
Main Results:
- Significantly increased MVD was observed in both R/PLP and A/ELP compared to controls (P < 0.001).
- A/ELP exhibited significantly higher MVD than R/PLP (P < 0.001).
- ALK1 expression was significantly higher in A/ELP and R/PLP compared to controls, with A/ELP showing greater expression (P = 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Both ALK1 expression and MVD are elevated in oral lichen planus.
- The atrophic/erosive form of OLP demonstrates particularly high levels of ALK1 expression and MVD.
