Interferon-γ and interleukin-4 detected in serum and saliva from patients with oral lichen planus

Int J Oral Sci. 2014 Mar;6(1):22-6. doi: 10.1038/ijos.2013.74. Epub 2013 Oct 25.

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.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis
  • Interferon-gamma / blood*
  • Interleukin-4 / analysis
  • Interleukin-4 / blood*
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / blood*
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / classification
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Saliva / chemistry*
  • Saliva / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • IL4 protein, human
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma