Oral lesions in lupus erythematosus-cytokines profiles of inflammatory infiltrate.
BACKGROUND
Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Presence of type 1 cytokines in cutaneous discoid lesions suggests that they may be critical for induction, development and maintenance of these manifestations. Type 2 cytokines in combination with local interferon gamma (INF-gamma) are thought to be related to the physiopathology of cutaneous LE. Cytokines profiles are still unknown in oral LE lesions.


METHODS
Expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines (including IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and INF- gamma was investigated and compared in 29 biopsies of intra-oral (sun-protected) and labial lesions (sun-exposed) of LE using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Inflammatory infiltrate of LE lesions was strongly positive for IFN- gamma (97%) and TNF-alpha (90%), both Th1 type cytokines. Interleukin-10, a Th2 cytokine was also strongly expressed. Other cytokines were only mildly positive. Cytokines patterns were similar in intra-oral (sun-covered) and labial (sun-exposed) LE lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral LE lesions are associated with both type 1 and type 2 cytokines, characterized by stronger expression of INF- gamma, TNF- alpha and IL-10. These findings suggest that although ultraviolet (UV) light is involved in the induction of LE lesions, mechanisms of lesions formation may be similar in sun-exposed as well as sun-covered areas.
Marques
Elisa R M C
ER
Dermatology Department, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Lourenço
Silvia Vanessa
SV
Lima
Dirce M
DM
Nico
Marcello Menta S
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines