[Expression of TGF-beta1, Smad7 and cell apoptosis in epithelium of oral lichen planus].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of TGF-beta1, Smad7 and cell apoptosis in oral lichen planus (OLP) and to evaluate the possible pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical technique was used to study the expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad7 in the epithelia cells of 17 OLP cases and 7 normal oral mucosa (NOM). TUNEL was used for detecting the cell apoptosis in 17 OLP cases and 7 NOM.


RESULTS
TGF-beta1 was moderately positive in the epithelia cells of OLP. All the epithelia cells in OLP showed strong cytoplasmic staining. The expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad7 were significantly increased in OLP compared with that in NOM (P < 0.05). Cell apoptotic index (AI) was remarkably increased in epithelia cells in OLP cases, and the cell apoptosis was localized in basal and suprabasal epithelial layers. There was a positive correlation between TGF-beta1 expression and cell apoptosis in the epithelia of OLP (r = 0.69, P <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High expression of TGF-beta1 and Smad7 in the epithelia of OLP suggests that TGF-beta1-Smad7 signal pathway was disturbed in oral lichen planus. The imbalance of TGF-beta1-Smad7 pathway may contribute to the mechanisms of cell apoptosis of epithelial cells in OLP.
Chen
Zuo-Liang
ZL
Department of Oral Medicine, Xiamen Stomatology Hospital, Xiamen Fujian 361003, China. zuoliangc@yahoo.com.cn
Deng
Guan-Hong
GH
Chen
Hong-Bai
HB
Cheng
Jun
J
D017209:Apoptosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051906:Smad7 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*
C497806:SMAD7 protein, human; D051906:Smad7 Protein; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1