Caspase-3 expression in lichen planus

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine keratinocyte apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in lichen planus (LP). Background: Caspase-3 expression level in LP lesions is considered a reliable marker of apoptosis, which is frequently found in LP, but the pathways leading to apoptosis are unknown. Patients and methods: A total of 25 skin biopsy specimens from LP lesions were used and 17 healthy volunteers were used as controls. Histopathological examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of LP was carried out for the evaluation of histopathological parameters. The expression of caspase-3 was examined immunohistochemically. Results: There were highly significant differences between caspase-3 immunostaining in epidermal keratinocytes in normal skin and the lesional area of LP ( P = 0.006). No statistically significant correlation was found between caspase-3 expression in keratinocytes of LP cases and the histopathological parameters studied. No statistically significant correlation was found between caspase-3 expression in dermal lymphocytes and the histopathological parameters studied. A significant relation was found between various intensities of caspase-3 expression in dermal lymphocytes and the age of the individuals ( P = 0.03), where the younger age group showed a strong intensity, whereas in older individuals, the mild expression predominated, which may indicate more severe disease with more apoptosis in early-onset LP. Conclusion: Caspase-3 expression in epidermal keratinocytes and dermal lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of LP.