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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Elastin, Gene Expression, Humans, Keratins, Leukocyte Elastase, Lichen Planus, Oral, Matrix Metalloproteinase 12, Mouth Mucosa, Paraffin Embedding.
user
Is aberrant keratinization of reticular oral lichen planus related to elastolysis? Context: Aberrant keratinization is common in oral lichen planus (OLP) on buccal mucosa. Because elastin is crucial for maintaining the nonkeratinized phenotype of oral mucosa, we examined whether inflammatory elastases and the accompanying elastolysis were related to this feature. Protein and mRNA levels of keratinization-associated keratins (K1/10), nonkeratinization-associated keratins (K4/13), elastin, neutrophil elastase, and macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) were compared between normal alveolar mucosa and reticular OLP from buccal mucosa. Normal alveolar mucosae were cultured ex vivo on an organ culture system with and without elastase treatment. After 14 days, the mucosae were examined for 4 keratin expressions. The expressions of K1/10 and elastases increased, whereas those of K4/13 and elastin decreased in OLP. The nonkeratinized mucosa in the organ culture began to express K1/10 when elastase degraded the inherent elastin.
assistant
Our study demonstrated that elastolysis in reticular OLP may be related to its aberrant keratinization. Final Decision: yes