Up-regulation of EGF receptor and its ligands, AREG, EREG, and HB-EGF in oral lichen planus

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2010 Dec;110(6):748-54. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.06.022. Epub 2010 Oct 16.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the roles of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members and their ligands in oral lichen planus (OLP).

Study design: The expressions of 4 EGFR-like receptors and 6 EGF-like ligands were measured in OLP tissues from 10 patients and compared with the levels in normal oral mucosa (NOM) from 10 healthy donors.

Results: Of the receptors, only EGFR mRNA and protein were more highly expressed in OLP compared with NOM tissues. Regarding the ligands, the mRNAs of amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) were more highly expressed in OLP compared with NOM tissues. These ligands were strongly expressed by infiltrating lamina propria lymphocytes as well as epithelial keratinocytes in OLP lesions, as shown by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions: The enhanced EGFR expression on the keratinocytes in OLP lesions and the up-regulation of EGF-like ligands in keratinocytes and infiltrating mononuclear cells could contribute to the carcinogenesis and pathogenesis of OLP.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amphiregulin
  • Betacellulin
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • EGF Family of Proteins
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / analysis*
  • Epiregulin
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • ErbB Receptors / analysis*
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / analysis*
  • Heparin / analysis*
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / analysis*
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / pathology
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / pathology*
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Mucosa / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / analysis
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / analysis
  • Receptor, ErbB-4
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / analysis*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / analysis
  • Up-Regulation / genetics*

Substances

  • AREG protein, human
  • Amphiregulin
  • BTC protein, human
  • Betacellulin
  • CD3 Complex
  • EGF Family of Proteins
  • EREG protein, human
  • Epiregulin
  • Glycoproteins
  • HBEGF protein, human
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Heparin
  • ERBB4 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Receptor, ErbB-3
  • Receptor, ErbB-4