title: Salivary concentration of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in patients with oral lichen planus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is a significant molecule of innate immunity and recent studies indicate that it plays an important role in maintaining oral health. Yet limited knowledge exists on its role in oral diseases and oral lichen planus (OLP) in particular.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to examine: 1) the salivary concentration of LL-37 in patients with OLP and healthy subjects, 2) the relation between the type (reticular or erosive) and size of OLP lesions and LL-37 concentration, and 3) the effect of the therapeutic modalities on LL-37 levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The salivary peptide concentration in samples from 20 patients and 30 healthy subjects at the same age range was determined by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the wide variation in peptide concentration found in both groups, the healthy subjects exhibited significantly lower levels than patients. Patients with the erosive form had significantly higher peptide concentrations than patients with the reticular form. Systemic treatment with corticosteroids resulted in a significant decrease of the salivary peptide concentration, while other treatment modalities, such as administration of vitamins A and E or local application of corticosteroids had no effect. Improved clinical appearance of the lesions was followed by a decrease in the salivary LL-37 level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salivary concentration of LL-37 correlates to the manifestation of mucosa lesions in OLP patients, the highest levels being observed in the most severe cases. This increase in peptide levels may protect against lesion infection and promote a quick wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; evimeria@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sotiria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davidopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Haris
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Theodoridis
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nazer
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eftichia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kessopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Labor of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menexes
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalfas
keywords: antimicrobial peptide LL-37; oral lichen planus; saliva