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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aims of this study were to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of tenascin-C (TN-C) in lichen planus (LP) and to highlight its hypothesized role in the etiopathogenesis of this disease entity. Background LP is an inflammatory disease of the skin and the mucous membrane, the exact etiology of which is not known; however, multiple theories have been proposed. TN-C is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays different roles, mediating both inflammatory and fibrotic processes. However, little information about its role in LP exists. Patients and methods Thirty patients with LP and 10 age-matched and sex-matched volunteers as controls were included. They were subjected to complete history taking, and general and dermatological examination. Skin biopsies were taken from the lesional skin of LP patients and the normal skin of controls. Biopsies were subjected to routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunostaining for TN-C. Results Forty-three percent of LP cases showed epidermal expression, whereas most of the cases (77%) showed a positive dermal expression. Dermal expression of TN-C is significantly elevated in cases than in controls (P = 0.01). Positive correlations between the dermal expression of TN-C and the intensity of lymphocytic infiltrate and the severity of pruritus were demonstrated. Dermal TN-C expression is significantly elevated in hypertrophic LP cases and in cases with leg lesions. Epidermal expression of TN-C showed no significant correlation with any of the clinical or pathological features. Conclusion Prominent TN-C expression in LP lesions magnifies its role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

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