Inflammation‐related cytokines in oral lichen planus: an overview

Abstract

Cytokines are powerful mediators which play a central role in both innate and adapted immune responses. Aberrant productions of cytokines may lead to the onset of immune deficiency, allergy or autoimmunity, which are involved in the mechanisms of various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammation disease affecting the oral mucosa with unknown aetiology. Previous studies have described the abnormal expression patterns of various inflammation-related cytokines, such as IL-1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17, 18, TGF-β, IFN-γ and TNF-α, in lesions, saliva, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with OLP, which may reflect the immune dysregulation status and emerge as central players in the immunopathogenesis of OLP. Besides, the gene polymorphisms of several cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10 have been found to be involved in the susceptibility of OLP. In this review, we gave a brief introduction of the characteristics and biological functions of these inflammation-related cytokines and summarized for the first time the current knowledge on the involvement of inflammation-related cytokines in OLP. Further research on the exact roles of these cytokines will aid the understanding of the pathogenesis and the identification of novel therapeutic approaches of OLP.

Clinical and Histopathologic Characterization of Canine Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis

“…20,24 Histologic characteristics of OLP in people, similar to CCUS in dogs, include a dense subepithelial lymphocytic infiltrate (lichenoid band), lymphocytic invasion of epithelium, sawtooth appearance of rete ridges, 12 and hydropic degeneration of basal keratinocytes. 6,20 OLP is thought to result from immune responses in the skin or mucosa, 34,46,55 in which autoreactive CD8þ T cells trigger basal cell apoptosis. 14,49,54 Langerhans cells and macrophages are also involved.…”

MicroRNAs in oral lichen planus and potential miRNA–mRNA pathogenesis with essential cytokines: a review

“…2,5 Cytokines are soluble proteins that play important roles in the initiation and maintenance of inflammatory and immune responses and in intercellular crosstalk. 7 Various inflammation-related cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, have been shown to have abnormal expression patterns in lesions, saliva, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with OLP (Table 1); 6 this may reflect the immune dysregulation status in these patients and highlights cytokines as potentially central players in the immunopathogenesis of OLP.…”

“…However, immune and inflammatory factors play important roles in the development of OLP. [4][5][6] Histopathologically, OLP is characterized by the presence of a band-like subepithelial infiltrate of inflammatory cells,…”

Association between the clinical severity of oral lichen planus and anti-TPO level in thyroid patients

“…2,3 Immune dysregulation in OLP includes unusual production of inflammatory mediators, 4 of which cytokines are the most prominent. 5 The abnormal expression pattern of cytokines such as IL-1, -2, -4, -5, -6, -8, -10, -18 and TNF-α has been found in the lesions, serum and saliva of patients with OLP. 5 Elevated levels of IL-8 in the serum of OLP patients have been recorded and reported in several studies.…”

“…5 The abnormal expression pattern of cytokines such as IL-1, -2, -4, -5, -6, -8, -10, -18 and TNF-α has been found in the lesions, serum and saliva of patients with OLP. 5 Elevated levels of IL-8 in the serum of OLP patients have been recorded and reported in several studies. 6,7,8,9 It has also been reported that the clinical severity of OLP is directly associated with the IL-8 level in the serum.…”