Regulatory T-cells and IL17A(+) cells infiltrate oral lichen planus lesions.
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a complex immunological disorder, mediated in part by the release of cytokines from activated T-cells. Of late, two closely related T-helper (Th) cell subsets; regulatory T-cells (Tregs; FoxP3(+)) and Th17 cells (IL17(+)) have been described in various chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of FoxP3 and IL17 in OLP using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). For IHC, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded archival specimens, an OLP group (n=10) and a non-specific inflammatory (NSI) control group (n=9) were used. In addition, 12 fresh tissue samples were used to determine gene expression of FoxP3 and IL17. Significantly more FoxP3(+) cells were present in OLP than in NSI. IL17(+) cells were significantly more frequent in the control tissues than in OLP. The gene expression experiments revealed a significantly higher expression of FoxP3 in OLP when compared to the controls. IL17 gene expression was not different between the groups. Double labelling immunofluorescence indicated co-localisation of IL17 with tryptase(+) mast cells. These findings suggest FoxP3(+) Tregs have a more prominent role in the pathogenesis of OLP when compared to IL17(+)cells.
Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
L R
LR
Javvadi
Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
V P B
VP
Parachuru
Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
T J
TJ
Milne
Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
G J
GJ
Seymour
Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: alison.rich@otago.ac.nz.
A M
AM
Rich
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17
Lichen planus; immunoregulation; interleukin-17; regulatory T-cells