Elevated Serum Interleukin-23 Levels in Patients with Oral and Cutaneous Lichen Planus

Abstract

Lichen planus is considered a chronic inflammatory disease which affects different sites, such as the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails. Based on the evidence, a complex cytokine network plays a crucial role in lichen planus pathogenesis. The study was aimed at assessing the serum IL-23 levels in the patients with cutaneous and oral lichen planus compared to healthy controls. Method. The study included 30 cutaneous lichen planus patients, 20 oral lichen planus patients, and 33 control subjects. Five milliliters of peripheral blood was obtained from each patient, and the serum was separated. IL-23 levels were determined using the ELISA kit, and the data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test. Results. IL-23 levels in the patient serum with oral lichen planus ( P value ≤ 0.001) were significantly higher than in controls. Furthermore, there were significant differences in IL-23 serum levels in the patients with cutaneous lichen planus compared to the healthy controls ( P value ≤ 0.001). Moreover, IL-23 serum levels were statistically different between patients with cutaneous lichen planus and patients with oral lichen planus ( P value ≤ 0.001). Based on the mean concentration of interleukin-23, IL-23 levels were higher in the patients with oral lichen planus than in the patients with cutaneous lichen planus. Conclusions. Elevated serum IL-23 levels in the patients with oral lichen planus may indicate that IL-23 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. However, more research is needed with a larger sample size.

Lichen Planus

“…Later observations noted a response of IL-12/23 inhibition on one patient with LP pemphigoides ( 195 ), and three patients with LP ( 96 , 196 ). Use of IL-12/23 was grounded on the observation of increased IL-23 expression in oral LP ( 84 ), as well as an increased serum concentration of IL-23 in LP patients ( 197 ). Of note, we are not aware of any study addressing the impact of IL-12/23 inhibition in LP.…”

Interleukin‐23 receptor defines T helper 1‐like regulatory T cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…22,23 Interestingly, IL-23 has been reported to be expressed in human OSCC cell lines and OSCC tissues to promote OSCC growth. 24,25 Therefore, IL-23, either macrophages-derived or OSCC-derived, might influence the function of OSCC-infiltrating Tregs if they express IL-23R. However, to our knowledge, this has not been reported by previous studies.…”

“…Recent research also demonstrated the significance of IL‐23R in the differentiation and function of Th1 and Th2 cells 22,23 . Interestingly, IL‐23 has been reported to be expressed in human OSCC cell lines and OSCC tissues to promote OSCC growth 24,25 . Therefore, IL‐23, either macrophages‐derived or OSCC‐derived, might influence the function of OSCC‐infiltrating Tregs if they express IL‐23R.…”

Potential role of INTERLEUKIN‐17 in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus: a systematic review with META‐analysis

“…29 Additionally, an overexpression of IL-23, one of the hallmarks of Tregs, has been found up-regulated in serum of OLP individuals, suggesting that this signature molecule probably participates in the induction of Th17 differentiation in OLP. 56 In fact, a positive correlation has been found between IL-17 and IL-23 at both protein and mRNA levels, 22,31 indicating that the upregulation of IL-17 might be associated with the overexpression of IL-23 in early stages of OLP. 22 Another contributing factor in the lack of differentiation of Th17 towards Th1 cells may be the oral flora as it can exert a direct influence on the host immunity by altering the T-cell functional activity.…”