IFN-gamma and IL-4 in saliva of patients with oral lichen planus: a study in an ethnic Chinese population.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) represent T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines involved in oral lichen planus (OLP), respectively. This study was to investigate the expression profile of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in saliva of OLP patients. Seventy-nine ethnic Chinese patients with OLP were recruited for this study, together with 41 age-sex-matched healthy volunteers served as control group. IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels in whole unstimulated saliva were screened by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. OLP patient showed a low-level IFN-gamma but high-level IL-4 expression profile in saliva, with a lower ratio of salivary IFN-gamma/IL-4 compared to healthy controls. With regards to subtypes, salivary IL-4 level in erythematous/ulcerative group was significantly higher than that in reticular group. Imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines with Th2-predominant profile in saliva may be involved in OLP. Salivary IL-4 level may be a fine biomarker reflecting the severity of OLP.
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Wenzhao
W
Liu
Hongxia
H
Dan
Zhi
Z
Wang
Lu
L
Jiang
Yu
Y
Zhou
Man
M
Zhao
Qianming
Q
Chen
Xin
X
Zeng
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018417:Th1 Cells; D018418:Th2 Cells
D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma