[Expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Bcl-2, and Bax in lymphocytes of patients with oral lichen planus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-associated X (Bax) in the lymphocytes of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used for detecting the expressions of PCNA, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in oral lichen planus tissue and normal oral mucosa (NOM).

RESULTS: The expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins increased significantly in the lymphocytes of patients with OLP compared with those in NOM. The expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 proteins showed no significant differences between patients with OLP of general type and erosive type.

CONCLUSION: Increased expression of PCNA and the imbalance of Bcl-2/Bax expressions in the lymphocytes of patients with OLP can be important causes for continuous lymphocyte infiltration in OLP.