Assessment of Serum Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 (YKL-40) in Lichen Planus

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Lichen planus (LP) is a papulosquamous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) is proinflammatory multifunctional protein with significant role in immunity, inflammation and regulation of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cell. Aim of the Study To investigate whether YKL-40 protein has any role in the pathogenesis of LP and to estimate its level in different LP patients with different degrees of severity in an attempt to reach a novel role of it in the pathogenesis of this disease in an attempt for better understanding and treatment of LP. Patients and Methods 38 patients with LP and 32 controls were included. Full history recording and physical examination were performed. Assessment of LP severity was done by LPAASI score and VAS score. Measurement of YKL-40 was done using ELISA. Results Assessment of serum YKL-40 revealed higher serum YKL-40 level in LP cases compared to controls with excellent discriminative power and sensitivity and specificity of 100%. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between the YKL-40 level and LPAASI and pruritis scores. Conclusion Serum YKL-40 revealed significant high levels in LP patients compared to control subjects.