Interferon-γ and interleukin-4 detected in serum and saliva from patients with oral lichen planus.
- Author:
Wen-Zhao LIU
1
;
Ming-Jing HE
2
;
Long LONG
2
;
Dong-Liang MU
2
;
Ming-Shu XU
2
;
Xue XING
2
;
Xin ZENG
2
;
Ga LIAO
2
;
Hong-Xia DAN
2
;
Qian-Ming CHEN
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Biomarkers; analysis; blood; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma; analysis; blood; Interleukin-4; analysis; blood; Lichen Planus, Oral; blood; classification; immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Saliva; chemistry; immunology; Th1 Cells; immunology; Th2 Cells; immunology
- From: International Journal of Oral Science 2014;6(1):22-26
- CountryChina
- Language:English
- Abstract: Our previous salivary study had demonstrated an apparent T helper 2 (Th2)-predominance in saliva of oral lichen planus (OLP) patients and suggested a potential of salivary interleukin-4 (IL-4) as a biomarker for monitoring disease severity. To further determine the consistency of Th1/Th2 bias of OLP, this study investigated the expression profile of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-4 in serum and the relationship of the serum levels of these cytokines with their saliva partners. Sixty ethnic Chinese patients with OLP (40 of the erythematous/ulcerative form and 20 of the reticular form) were recruited for this study, with 40 age-sex-matched healthy volunteers as control group. IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in serum and paired saliva samples were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OLP patient showed a low-level IFN-γ but high-level IL-4 expression profile in both serum and saliva, with a lower IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. Serum IL-4 level in the erythematous/ulcerative group was significantly higher than that in the reticular group. Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly and positively correlated with their saliva partners. These results provided more evidence for Th2 cytokine-predominant immune imbalance in OLP, as well as the potential of IL-4 as the biomarker for monitoring severity of OLP.
