VCAM1 and ICAM1 expression in oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are vascular
adhesion molecules that their receptors are located on endothelial cells and leukocytes. The aim of this study is
the immunohistochemical evaluation of VCAM1 and ICAM1 in oral lichen planus and to compare these two
markers with normal mucosa for evaluation of angiogenesis. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on
70 paraffined blocks of oral lichen planus and 30 normal mucosa samples taken from around the lesions.
Samples were stained with H & E and then with Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal mouse anti human
VCAM1 (CD106), & monoclonal mouse anti human ICAM1(CD54) for confirmation of diagnosis. Slides were
evaluated under light microscope and VCAM1 and ICAM1 positive cells (endothelial cells and leukocytes) were
counted. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon and Chi-Square and p<0.001 was declared
significant. VCAM1 and ICAM1 expression significantly increased compared to normal mucosa in oral lichen
planus according to the percentage of stained cells (p=0.000& p=0.000, Mann-Whitney test). Thirty cases of oral
normal mucosa associated with lichen planus showed that the VCAM1 has increased significantly in comparison
to normal mucosa (p<0.001). Also, ICAM1 expression between lichen planus and normal mucosa, showed a
significantly difference (p<0.001). A significant difference between VCAM1 and ICAM1 expression and type of
lichen planus was not observed (p>0.05). Regarding the results, it seems that high expression of VCAM1 and
ICAM1 is related to oral lichen planus.