Salivary level of interleukin-17 in patients having atrophic and erosive oral lichen planus before and after treatment with topical steroids (Controlled clinical trial)

Abstract

Oral lichen planus is an immune-mediated disease that affects the oral mucous membranes. It follows a cyclic pattern of exacerbations or flares followed by periods of quiescence, unlike LP of the skin, which has been reported to have a high rate of spontaneous remission. There are various mechanisms that are involved in the immune pathogenesis of OLP, these mechanisms include: antigen-specific cell mediated immune response, nonspecific autoimmune responses (cellular or humoral reactions). Topical corticosteroids are beneficial in the management of OLP because of their anti-inflammatory effect and anti-immunologic properties of suppressing T-cell function. Interleukin-17A is a CD4+ T cell-derived cytokine that promotes inflammatory responses in cell lines and plays an important role in various immune-mediated disorders including; rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and transplant rejection. IL-17 can also contribute to OLP pathogenesis by enhancing T cell mediated reactions and encouraging the release of cytokines from the immune cells. Whole human saliva is a complex fluid which includes serum constituents, considerable amount of desquamated epithelial cells, microorganisms and cellular components.