Interleukin-6 released by oral lichen planus myofibroblasts promotes angiogenesis

Oral lichen planus (OLP), defined as a potential for malignant transformation, is a chronic inflammatory disease in which abnormal angiogenesis serves a role in the malignant changes of the disease. OLP-associated fibroblasts (OLP-MFs), derived from the stroma of OLP tissues, are characterized by the presence of myofibroblasts and contribute to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of OLP. However, the associated mechanisms of angiogenesis in OLP remain unknown. The present study aimed to verify the expression of intercellular adhesion molecular 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, VEGF and CD34 in OLP, and to investigate whether IL-6 secreted by OLP-MFs promoted OLP angiogenesis and the effect of its corresponding antibody inhibition. The results of the experiments demonstrated that inflammation was present and OLP upregulated the secretion of IL-6 by OLP stromal fibroblasts, thereby enhancing OLP angiogenesis. Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody inhibited OLP-stroma IL-6 signaling and suppressed OLP angiogenesis. The antibody inhibited the inflammatory response by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, to suppress angiogenesis and reduce disease progression, thus indicating that this could be a potential target to develop a treatment for OLP.