Comparative immunohistochemical expression of Beta catenin and CD163 between dysplastic / non-dysplastic oral lichen planus and lichenoid lesions (EX-VIVO STUDY).

Background: Oral lichen planus is a well-known chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder, which has clinical and histological presentation that mimics oral lichenoid reaction. According to the fifth edition of WHO, both conditions are considered as oral potentially malignant disorders. Recent studies on oral potential disorders documented deregulation of some signaling molecules related to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore this study aimed to compare the immune expression of β-catenin & CD163 in dysplastic /non-dysplastic cases of Oral lichen planus & oral lichenoid lesion. In addition, a statistical correlation between both immune markers was done regardless of the type of the study group.

Methods: Four study groups were designated as 2 groups of Oral lichen planus (one dysplastic & one non -dysplastic) and the other 2 groups were oral lichenoid lesions (one dysplastic & one non -dysplastic). Ten cases in each group were collected and investigated by immunohistochemistry. The area percent of beta catenin and also counting of m2 macrophages expressing + CD163 marker was calculated in the study groups.

Results: The Statistical analysis highlighted a statistically significant difference between the studied groups. Moreover, Pearson correlation test reported a significant moderate positive correlation between beta catenin & CD163 expression in the studied cases.

Conclusion: Our findings supported new perceptions of the mechanism by which tumor associated macrophage specific β-catenin signaling promotes the aggressive behavior of oral potential malignant disorders.

Clinical Relevance: Evidence of the relationship between beta catenin and M2 macrophages (+ CD163) may enhance the development of macrophage-based strategies for treatment and improve the prognosis of such cases.