Expression of IFN‐γ before and after treatment of oral lichen planus with 0.1% fluocinolone acetonide in orabase

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory mucosal disease in which T-cell-mediated immune responses are implicated in the pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 0.1% fluocinolone acetonide in orabase (FAO) on the in situ expression of IFN-gamma in patients with OLP. Twenty OLP patients were enrolled in this study. Biopsy specimens and serum samples were obtained before and 1-month after the treatment with 0.1% FAO. In situ expression and serum levels of IFN-gamma were determined using immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. The number of IFN-gamma-positive mononuclear cells in OLP lesions before the treatment was significantly higher as compared with that after the treatment. Similarly, the mean number of total mononuclear cells was clearly decreased after the treatment. However, the serum levels of IFN-gamma were not detectable. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma expression in OLP tissue may involve in the immunopathogenesis and the treatment with 0.1% FAO had an immunomodulating effect on the decrease of IFN-gamma.