Evaluation of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in patients with lichen

Objectives: Lichen planus is an immunologic diseasemediated by lymphocytes in which T lymphocytes targetat basal cells. It is believed that TNF-α that is releasedfrom T lymphocytes and keratinocytes plays a key role inthe starting and progression of lichen planus by inducingapoptosis. MHC Class-I antigens on basal keratinocytesand interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IFN-gamma (γ) that are producedfrom CD4+ T cells stimulate the apoptosis of keratinocytesin lichen planus. The aim of this study was tomeasured the IL-2 and TNF-α levels in peripheral bloodfrom patients with Lichen planus.Materials and methods: A total of 26 lichen planus patients(18 females, 8 males) that applied to the dermatologypoliclinics in Dicle University Hosspital between 2004and 2006 and a healthy control group were included inthe study. Serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels were measuredby using Immulate 1000 solid phase and two-site chemiluminescentimmunometric assay method. The results ofpatients and control group were compared.Results: Level of IL-2 (1172.615 ± 774.967) and TNF-α(13.361 ± 5.638) were higher in lichen planus to comparedcontrols. IL-2 and TNF-α levels in the patient group werefound to be significantly high statistically compared tohealth control group, respectively p=0.004 and p<0.001.Conclusion: The high levels of IL-2 and TNF-α in lichenplanus patients support the role of immunity in the pathogenesisof the disease