Detection of myxovirus resistance protein A in lichen planus lesions and its relationship to hepatitis C virus.
BACKGROUND
Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory disease of the skin and oral mucosa. Studies suggested that type I interferons (IFNs) could play an important role in the cytotoxic inflammation in LP. Type I IFNs stimulate the production of several IFN-induced proteins including myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA protein). The association of LP and chronic hepatitis C is well established, with variable prevalence rates among different populations. Many authors have considered hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a possible antigen for inducing cytotoxic immune response in LP.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of type I IFNs in LP through the detection of MxA protein, and to compare the expression of MxA protein between HCV-positive and HCV-negative patients with LP in an attempt to clarify the role of HCV in the pathogenesis of LP.


METHODS
The study included 33 skin biopsies from patients with LP and 10 control biopsies. MxA mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. HCV-specific antibodies were detected in patient sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Our analysis revealed a significantly higher level of MxA protein in all the LP skin biopsies compared with controls. The expression was significantly higher in HCV-positive patients than in HCV-negative patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Type I IFNs play a role in the pathogenesis of LP, and HCV could induce LP through increasing the production of type I IFNs.
Shaker
O G
OG
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. olfatshaker@yahoo.com
Hantar
N
N
El-Tahlawi
S
S
El-Tawdi
A
A
El-Hadidi
H
H
Hantar
S
S
El-Refai
A
A
William
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I; C579071:MX1 protein, human; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins