[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.