Differential metallothionein expression in oral lichen planus and amalgam-associated oral lichenoid lesions

作者：Mendes Gabriela Geraldo; Servato Joao Paulo Silva; Borges Fabiana Custodio; Rosa Roberta Rezende; Siqueira Carla Silva; de Faria Paulo Rogerio; Loyola Adriano Mota; Cardoso Sergio Vitorino^*

来源：Medicina Oral Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal, 2018, 23(3): E262-E268.

DOI：10.4317/medoral.22144

• Oral lichen planus
• oral lichenoid lesions
• autoimmune disorders
• metallothionein
• immunohistochemistry

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by T cells, which manifests as reticular (white) or erosive (red) lesions, that are eventually painful. Oral lichenoid lesion (OLL) are distinguished from OLP by the presence of precipitating factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of metallothionein, which is involved in anti-apoptotic pathways and the anti-oxidative response, could serve as a differential diagnostic for OLP and OLL.
Material and Methods: We evaluated the expression of metallothionein in 40 cases of OLP and 20 cases of OLL using immunohistochemistry.
Results and Conclusions: White OLP has higher concentrations of metallothionein than red OLP in basal and parabasal layers. Moreover, metallothionein was more frequently observed in the cytoplasm and nuclei of basal cells in OLP patients compared to the same regions of OLL cases. Metallothionein levels are related to OLP severity and may contribute to a differential diagnosis between OLP and OLL.

• 出版日期2018-5-1