Angiogenesis-related factors expression in oral lichen planus

To detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in oral lichen planus (OLP).

Thirty OLP patients and fifteen healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum were collected from 15 healthy volunteers as controls. Normal tissues were collected from surgical department as immunohistochemical analysis. The levels of VEGF, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 in serum were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 were carried out by the means of primary antibodies and anti-VEGF, anti-CD106 antigen (VCAM-1) and anti-CD54 antigen (ICAM-1).

ELISA results showed no expression differences for VEGF between the two groups. Whereas, the levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 in OLP group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results reveal the presence of a significant angiogenesis in OLP patients through the immunoexpression of VEGF, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 according to the percentage of stained cells (P < 0.05).

Regarding the results, it seems that high expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 are related to oral lichen planus.