Introduction:
Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is considered a T cell mediated disease with unknown etiology. T helper cells appear
to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP.Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is the signature cytokine of T helper (Th) cells.
Recent studies suggested that IL-17 may be involved in the pathogenesis of OLPand homeostasis of tissues beyond the immune
system.Interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R) expression is working in disparate tissuessuch as articular cartilage, bone, meniscus,
brain, hematopoietic tissue, kidney, lung, skin and intestine.
Aim of the study:
This study evaluated the possible correlation between serum and tissue levels of IL-17 as well as the
expression of its tissue receptor in order to detect their possible role in the etio-pathogenesis of OLP.
Subjects and methods:
20 patients with OLP and 10 healthy volunteers were recruited. Serum and tissue IL-17 levels were
assessed by using an Enzyme Linked Immune-Sorbent Assay (ELISA), whileIL-17R gene expression was detected by quantitative
real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Results :
Results showed that the mean serum and tissue levels of IL-17 as well as mean tissue level of IL-17R in OLP were
significantly higher compared to the controls (P value < 0.001),and there was a statistically significant positive (direct) correlation
between serum IL-17 andboth tissue level of IL-17 and its tissue receptor.
Discussion :
This study demonstrated the increased expression of serum and tissue level of IL-17 and IL-17 tissue receptor in
OLP patients, suggesting that IL-17 and its receptor in affected tissues may be associated with the pathogenesis of OLP and that
IL-17 may be considered an important diagnostic pro-inflammatory cytokine in OLP.
Conclusions and recommendations:
Further studies are required to investigate the immune-pathologic mechanisms and
therapeutic target of IL-17 in OLP.