Assessment of Serum Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 (YKL‐40) in Lichen Planus

Abstract

ichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that most often affects middle-aged adults. LP can involve the skin or mucous membranes including the oral, vulvovaginal, esophageal, laryngeal, and conjunctival mucosa. It has different variants based on the morphology of the lesions and the site of involvement. Various factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of LP. Genetic, environmental, immune and infectious factors are all demonstrated to participate in LP development. Recently, novel inflammatory biomarkers were reported to be associated with LP. Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) or YKL-40 is a secreted glycoprotein that mediates inflammation, macrophage polarization, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. The expression of YKL-40 is strongly increased by various inflammatory and immunological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, several cancers and inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of the current study was to investigate YKL-40 protein role in the pathogenesis of LP. The study on hand included 38 patients with lichen planus and 32 apparently healthy control subjects. Assessment of serum YKL-40