Immunoexpression of interleukin-22 and interleukin-23 in oral and cutaneous lichen planus lesions: a preliminary study

Abstract

Interleukin- (IL-) 22 is the signature cytokine of T-helper (Th) 22 cells, and IL-23 is required for IL-22 production. The objective of this study was to examine the immunoexpression of IL-22 and IL-23 in archival paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens from oral LP (n = 42) and cutaneous LP (n = 38) against normal control tissues. The results showed that the percentage of cells expressing IL-22 and IL-23 in LP were significantly higher in LP compared to controls, respectively (both P < 0.001). The correlation between IL-22 and IL-23 expression was significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the percentage of cells expressing IL-22 and IL-23 in oral LP were significantly higher than cutaneous LP (P < 0.05). Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the increased expression of IL-22 and IL-23 in LP lesions could play roles in the pathogenesis of LP. Moreover, oral LP expressing IL-22 and IL-23 was higher than cutaneous LP, probably due to Th22 cells as an important component of oral mucosal host defense against oral microbiota and tissue antigens. This may be associated with the difference in clinical behaviour of the two variants of the disease.

Figure 1

Representative expression pattern of IL-22: (a) negativity in normal oral mucosa and normal skin; (b) positivity in epithelial cells of oral and cutaneous lichen planus (LP); (c) positivity in subepithelial cells of oral and cutaneous LP. Magnification, ×200.

Figure 2

Representative expression pattern of IL-23: (a) negativity in normal oral mucosa and skin; (b) positivity in epithelial cells of oral and cutaneous lichen planus (LP); (c) positivity in subepithelial cells of oral and cutaneous LP. Magnification, ×200.