IL-17A polymorphism and elevated IL-17A serum levels are associated with oral lichen planus

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of IL-17A G197A polymorphism and serum levels with oral lichen planus susceptibility and clinical presentation.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty three individuals diagnosed with oral lichen planus (OLP) and ninety nine healthy controls (C) were consecutively recruited. All participants had desquamating oral mucosal cells collected and DNA isolated for IL-17A (G197A) genotyping. Blood samples of 42 OLP individuals and 23 healthy controls were collected for evaluation of IL-17A serum levels.

Results

IL-17A G197A genotypes were associated with an increased chance of having OLP (GA/AAxGG, OR=3.44, IC95%=1.87–6.33, p<0.001). Overall A carriers (GA or AA) were more common in OLP (38.1%) than in C (20.2%) (OR=2.43, IC95%= 1.53–3.87, p<0.001). Serum levels of IL-17A were higher among patients with oral lichen planus than in healthy controls (reticular, p=0.0003; erosive, p<0.001), but no difference was found among the disease types.

Conclusions

IL-17A G197A is associated with a higher susceptibility of developing oral lichen planus and these patients seem to present a considerable increase of IL-17A serum levels. These findings suggest that Th17 cells, and IL-17A in particular, may play a pivotal role in oral lichen planus pathogenesis.

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