Role of Salivary and Serum IL17 and IL23 in the Pathogenesis of Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common idiopathic premalignant mucocutaneousdisease, that affects around 0.1–4% of the general population.Similarly, in the Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of OLP has been reported to range between 0.35 and 1.7%.Women older than 40 years are especially at increased risk for being affected by this disorder. This chronic lesion manifestation often stands fast for a prolonged period that alternates between periods of relief and exacerbation.This T-cell mediated inflammation may also extend to the underlying lamina propria and may also be accompanied by marked skin lesions. 

Aim-: The present, review was conducted to provide objective analysis of the previously published data on the role of salivary and serum interleukins 17 and 23 in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.

Methodology:A review of relevant cross sectional, descriptive and observational studies wereincludedto analyze of the previously published research on the role of salivary and serum interleukins 17 and 23 in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus from the period between October 2009 to October, 2021.

In an initial research 410 articles were identified from pubmed electronic database after utilizing the following keywords: IL-17, IL-23, OLP, oral lichen planus, pathogenesis, immunologic pathogenesis, chronic inflammatory lesions, periodontal diseases, interleukins, biomarkers. Only articles written in English were reviewed, and titles and abstracts of these studies were assessed for eligibility, where the full text of 20 studies was eventually meticulously reviewed.

Result:The majority of the presented studies were capable of elucidating the increased expression of both salivary and serum IL-17 and IL-23 in OLP patients in comparison with healthy controls.

Conclusion:This review study showed that IL-17 and IL-23 have a pivotal role to play in the initiation and development of OLP through promoting the associated inflammatory process. This review article sheds light on the role of these cytokines in the etiopathogenesis of lichen planus and open up new ways of prevention and treatment.