title: Quantitative immunohistochemical assessment of blood and lymphatic microcirculation in cutaneous lichen planus lesions.
abstract: Latest advances have brought to light the hypothesis that angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are tightly connected to some chronic inflammatory diseases. The present study focuses on immunohistochemical assessment of the quantitative changes in the blood and lymphatic microcirculatory bed in common chronic dermatosis - cutaneous lichen planus. Double immunohistochemistry with CD34 and podoplanin antibodies was used to detect blood and lymphatic endothelium, while anti-human VEGF was used for the observation of a key angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis inducer. Morphometric analysis was performed with QuickPhoto Micro image analysis software. Results confirmed statistically significant enlargement of both the blood and lymphatic microcirculatory beds. Compared to healthy skin, cutaneous lichen planus lesions revealed 1.6 times enlarged blood microcirculatory bed and 1.8 times enlarged lymphatic microcirculatory bed. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in lesional skin was significantly higher in the epidermis (19.1 times increase) than in the dermis (10.3 times increase). These findings indicate a tight association of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis with the pathogenesis of cutaneous lichen planus.
authors.affiliation: Comenius University in Bratislava, Institute of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin. vybohova@lefa.sk.
authors.forename: Desanka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Výbohová
authors.affiliation: Comenius University in Bratislava, Institute of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin.
authors.forename: Yvetta
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mellová
authors.affiliation: Comenius University in Bratislava , Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin.
authors.forename: Katarína
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adamicová
authors.affiliation: Comenius University in Bratislava, Institute of Histology and Embryology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin.
authors.forename: Marián
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adamkov
authors.affiliation: Comenius University in Bratislava, Institute of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hešková
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D000098853:Podoplanin
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C117468:PDPN protein, human; D000098853:Podoplanin; C467484:VEGFA protein, human