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Clinical Oral Investigations

Published in:

01-11-2014 | Original Article

Hydroxychloroquine decreases the upregulated frequencies of Tregs in patients with oral lichen planus

Authors: Yanan Zhu, Jingjing Li, Yang Bai, Xiang Wang, Ning Duan, Hongliu Jiang, Tingting Wang, Wenmei Wang

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 8/2014

Abstract

Objective

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have emerged as important mediators in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We investigated the possible involvement of Tregs in oral lichen planus (OLP) and the influence of clinical therapy (hydroxychloroquine and prednisone) on the frequencies of Tregs in OLP patients.

Materials and methods

One hundred fifty patients diagnosed with OLP were the study cohort. Levels of Tregs in blood and tissues were detected using flow cytometry and immunostaining, respectively. Cytokine production was assessed using a proteome profiler array and determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression of transcription factors was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Hydroxychloroquine or prednisone was used to treat patients randomly. The frequency of Tregs was detected before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment.

Results

Compared with healthy volunteers, OLP patients had a higher proportion of Tregs in serum and tissues before treatment (P < 0.001). Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients than those in healthy controls. mRNA expression of Treg-related genes, including TGF-β, IL-10, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6, and GATA binding protein 3, were upregulated significantly in OLP patients. The frequency of Tregs was downregulated after hydroxychloroquine treatment.

Conclusions

These results suggest that Tregs may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of OLP and may provide a new therapeutic target for OLP treatment.

Clinical relevance

T cell-mediated immune dysfunction may have a crucial role in OLP development. However, T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 imbalance does not appear to be sufficient to understand the pathogenesis of OLP. This is the first study to show that Tregs are involved in the immunopathogenesis of OLP.

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Title: Hydroxychloroquine decreases the upregulated frequencies of Tregs in patients with oral lichen planus
Authors: Yanan Zhu
Jingjing Li
Yang Bai
Xiang Wang
Ning Duan
Hongliu Jiang
Tingting Wang
Wenmei Wang
Publication date: 01-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-013-1176-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Hydroxychloroquine decreases the upregulated frequencies of Tregs in patients with oral lichen planus

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

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