ALK1 expression in oral lichen planus: a possible relation to microvessel density

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 45; no. 5; pp. 373 - 380
• Main Authors: Hazzaa, Hala H. A., El-Wakeel, Naglaa M., Attia, Enas A. S., Abo Hager, Eman A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2016
• Subjects: Activin Receptors, Type II - biosynthesis; Activin Receptors, Type II - genetics; Activin Receptors, Type II - metabolism; Adult; Aged; ALK1; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents - metabolism; Antigens, CD34 - biosynthesis; Antigens, CD34 - genetics; Antigens, CD34 - metabolism; Biomarkers - metabolism; Biopsy; CD34; Connective Tissue - pathology; Dentistry; Epithelium - pathology; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lichen Planus, Oral - enzymology; Lichen Planus, Oral - metabolism; Lichen Planus, Oral - pathology; Male; microvessel density; Microvessels - enzymology; Microvessels - metabolism; Microvessels - pathology; Middle Aged; oral lichen planus; microvessel density; oral lichen planus; CD34; ALK1
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/jop.12396

Objective To assess the expression of activin receptor‐like kinase 1 (ALK1) and investigate its possible relationship with microvessel density (MVD) in different forms of oral lichen planus (OLP) compared to controls' biopsies. Methods Biopsies from 20 reticular/papular OLP (R/PLP), 20 atrophic/erosive OLP (A/ELP) patients, and 20 healthy subjects were immunohistochemically analyzed and statistically compared and correlated for ALK1 expression and MVD as assessed by CD34 expression. Results All OLP specimens revealed the presence of positive cytoplasmic CD34 immunostaining in endothelial cells, with statistically high significant MVD in each of R/PLP (Median; M = 4.40) and A/ELP (M = 7.69) compared to controls (M = 1.16) (P < 0.001). Statistically significant MVD was found in A/ELP compared to R/PLP (P < 0.001). All control specimens revealed negative ALK1 immunostaining of the few inflammatory cells found, while 85% of A/ELP cases and 70% of R/PLP cases showed positively immunostained sections for ALK‐1, with statistically significant higher ALK1 expression In A/ELP (M = 1.95) compared to R/PLP (M = 0.86) (P = 0.005). No significant correlation between CD34 and ALK1 was detected in R/PLP (r = 0.081), while a barely moderate positive correlation was found in A/ELP (r = 0.396). Conclusions ALK1 expression and MVD are increased in OLP, particularly in A/ELP type.