Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine if clinical and histopathological variables in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid lesions (OLL), and generalized stomatitis display different cytokine profiles and if concomitant contact allergy influences this profile. Forty‐nine patients and 29 healthy age‐ and gender‐matched subjects were included. Demographic and clinical data immunohistochemical findings in mucosal specimens, results of contact allergy testing, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, IL‐12p40, and IL‐12p70 were analyzed and compared between groups. Nineteen patients had OLP, primarily with ulcerative lesions on the buccal mucosa, 19 patients had OLL, and 11 patients had generalized stomatitis. All patients had oral symptoms, mainly stinging and burning. Nineteen patients and 10 healthy subjects had contact allergies, primarily to fragrance ingredients. Patient groups did not differ with regard to oral symptoms, clinical pattern of the lesions, or contact allergy. Serum cytokine levels did not differ between the different patient groups and were not related to histopathological findings. The patients had higher levels of IL‐6 than the healthy subjects. Interferon‐γ, IL‐12p40, and IL‐12p70 were below detection limit. Our findings indicate that OLP, OLL, and generalized stomatitis cannot be discriminated by means of the selected serum cytokines, and that the presence of concomitant contact allergy does not influence the cytokine expression.
Highlights
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic, inflammatory, and immune‐ mediated oral‐mucosal disease affecting 0.5% to 2% of the adult population (Axéll & Rundquist, 1987; Bowers, Sexton, & Sugerman, 2000; McCartan & Healy, 2008; Pinto, Khalaf, & Miller, 2015)
Our findings indicate that oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid lesions (OLL), and generalized stomatitis cannot be discriminated by means of the selected serum cytokines, and that the presence of concomitant contact allergy does not influence the cytokine expression
Nineteen patients were diagnosed with OLP and another 19 patients with OLL
Summary
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic, inflammatory, and immune‐ mediated oral‐mucosal disease affecting 0.5% to 2% of the adult population (Axéll & Rundquist, 1987; Bowers, Sexton, & Sugerman, 2000; McCartan & Healy, 2008; Pinto, Khalaf, & Miller, 2015). The mechanisms that trigger the T‐lymphocytes to enter the oral epithelium and to form the subepithelial inflammatory infiltrate, and the triggering mechanisms underlying basal keratinocyte apoptosis are still not clarified. It may involve both antigen‐specific and non‐specific mechanisms. The inflammatory infiltrate mainly consists of activated cytotoxic (CD8+)‐T‐lymphocytes, which are assumed to interact with CD4+‐T‐lymphocytes, Langerhans cells, macrophages (CD68+), and basal keratinocytes (Sugerman et al, 2002)
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