Targeting the IFN-γ/CXCL10 pathway in lichen planus

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, mucous membranes and nails. Management of oral involvement, particularly atrophic and erosive lesions, is challenging. Noteworthy, there is a lack of published evidence for treatment. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is actually regarded as a major mechanism of pathogenesis. The interferon-gamma induced chemokines CXCL10 and CXCL9 are strongly expressed in serum of patients as well as in both skin and mucosal lesions. Therefore the interferon gamma/CXCL10 axis is considered a key process for both progression and maintenance of chronic cytotoxic inflammation. According to these findings, the interferon gamma/CXCL10 axis could be considered a therapeutically attractive target to reverse inflammation. Since interferon gamma signal transduction occurs through JAK 1 and 2, JAK inhibitors could lead to blockade of interferon gamma signaling and downstream CXCL10 expression.