Expression of p63 in oral lichen planus

Objective To investigate the expression of p63 in oral lichen planus (OLP) and to evaluate the role of p63 in the development of OLP and prediction of cancer change as a molecular marker. Methods Tissue specimens of 30 OLP were examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the expression of p63. Results were compared with normal oral mucosa (NOM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Results p63 expression was detect in all specimens. Compared with NOM, the integrated option density (IOD) value was down regulated in OLP, while up regulated in OSCC. Atrophic-erosive OLP showed higher p63 expression than reticular OLP. TAp63 mRNA was moderately expressed in OLP, being lower than in NOM and significantly higher than in OSCC. mRNA transcripts for ΔNp63 almost could not be detected in NOM and OLP tissues. But in OSCC, ΔNp63 mRNA was recognized in all tissues and expressed at a high level. Conclusions p63 might be associated with the pathogenesis of OLP. TAp63 and ΔNp63 have different function in OLP tissues. p63 might be an early marker to predict the carcinomatous change risk of OLP.