The insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3/transferrin axis in pathogenesis of oral lichen planus and as a salivary biomarker for disease activity

Abstract

Objective Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) has been linked to the pathology of multiple inflammatory diseases of immunological background. Till now, no data is available on the involvement of IGFBP-3 in oral lichen planus (OLP) pathogenesis. Thus we aimed to gather preliminary data concerning salivary levels of IGFBP-3 and its binding protein transferrin (Tf) in patients suffering from OLP compared to normal controls and correlate it with clinical picture, this is to investigate: (a) a possible role in pathogenesis and (b) its validity as a biomarker for disease activity. Patients and methods Salivary samples from 40 patients suffering from OLP (clinically evaluated using REU scoring system) and 40 controls were collected and Tf and IGFBP-3 levels were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, for statistical analysis, analysis of variance followed by Turkey's post hoc and Pearson's correlation tests were used. Results Significantly higher salivary levels of IGFBP-3 and Tf (2533.45 ± 290.35 and 13.91 ± 2.23 ng/ml, respectively) were recorded in OLP compared to controls (1215.3 ± 428.92 and 3.33 ± 0.24 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0.0001). A positive correlation between IGFBP-3 and Tf levels with REU in OLP was detected. Conclusion Our data suggests that IGFBP-3 and Tf seem to play a role in pathogenesis of OLP and could be considered as a reliable marker in monitoring disease activity. However, further studies are required to further elucidate the role of the TGFBP-3/Tf binding system in the pathogenesis of OLP.