Differential expression of STAT-3 in subtypes of oral lichen planus: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to examine the expression of signaling transduction proteins and their possible correlation with different clinical subtypes of oral lichen planus (OLP). STUDY DESIGN:We examined the immunoexpression and phosphorylation status of 21 signaling transduction proteins of OLP (n = 10) and normal groups (n = 8) using PathScan analysis. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected expression of STAT-3 and p38 MAPK in tissues of OLP (n = 40) and normal controls (n = 10). RESULTS:PathScan analysis showed that STAT-3 (Ser727) expression in normal control (N), reticular OLP (R-OLP) and erosive OLP (E-OLP) group was gradually elevated (R-OLP vs N, P = .001; E-OLP vs N, P < .001; E-OLP vs R-OLP, P = .002). Immunohistochemistry showed that STAT-3 expression in the epithelium of normal control, reticular OLP and erosive OLP was consistent with PathScan analysis (R-OLP vs N, P < .001; E-OLP vs N, P < .001; E-OLP vs R-OLP, P = .036). Both PathScan (P = .012) and immunohistochemistry (P < .001) showed that, p38 MAPK expression was significantly higher in OLP compared with normal controls. However, a significant difference was not seen between the reticular OLP and erosive OLP groups. CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicate that STAT-3 may be involved in OLP development and progression and account for different clinical manifestations.