Deregulated phospholipase D2/mammalian target of rapamycin/hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in peripheral T lymphocytes of oral lichen planus correlated with disease severity.

OBJECTIVE

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common T lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) can regulate proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of T lymphocytes, therefore impacting the T lymphocyte-mediated immunity. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible association between Akt/mTOR/4E-BP1 (eIF4E-binding protein 1) signaling, phospholipase D (PLD) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif-1α) in peripheral T lymphocytes of OLP and the correlation of their expression with the disease severity.

DESIGN

RAE (reticular, atrophic and erosive lesion) scores were used to assess the disease severity of OLP. Akt, mTOR, 4E-BP1, PLD1, PLD2 and Hif-1α expression in peripheral T lymphocytes were measured by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Associations of Akt/mTOR/4E-BP1 expression with PLD1, PLD2 and Hif-1α expression were also assessed, respectively. Moreover, correlations of their expression with RAE scores were analyzed.

RESULTS

Expressions of mTOR, 4E-BP1, PLD2 and Hif-1α mRNA were significantly reduced in peripheral T lymphocytes of OLP patients, especially in erosive form. mTOR expression was positively correlated with PLD2 and Hif-1α expression in OLP. Moreover, mTOR, PLD2 and Hif-1α expression were negatively correlated with RAE scores, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Deregulated PLD2/mTOR/Hif-1α may contribute to the development of OLP and reflect the severity of the disease.