[The role of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in oral lichen planus].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of MMP-2, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 in the carcinogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP).

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression of OLP and compare with that of NOM.

RESULTS

The expression of these proteinases significantly increased from NOM, non-atrophic OLP, to atrophic OLP and OSCC. The expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP in atrophic OLP was significantly higher than in non-atrophic OLP. Furthermore, the expression of TIMP-2 consequently increased with the increasing of the MMP, but the increase of TIMP-2 was less than that of MMP.

CONCLUSIONS

MMP may be useful marker to judge the possibility of malignant change of OLP.