Nitric oxide synthase isoenzyme expression in human oral lichen planus


Article ID: 6064
Vol 27, Issue 4, 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/jbrha6064
Received: 8 January 2014; Accepted: 8 January 2014; Available online: 8 January 2014; Issue release: 8 January 2014

Abstract

The roles of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) enzyme in pathological mechanisms of the oral cavity are still incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the endothelial, neuronal and inducible isoforms of NOS (eNOS, nNOS and iNOS) in oral lichen planus (OLP) development in humans. OLP and healthy oral mucosa biopsies were taken for mRNA and protein analysis of NOS isoenzymes by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein levels of eNOS and nNOS were present in all samples, with a significant increase only for eNOS in OLP. The normal oral mucosa exhibited only small amounts of iNOS mRNA and protein, while it showed a significant rise in OLP samples. These results were confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Our findings suggest that NO produced by increased eNOS and iNOS expression may have circulatory and immune functions in the development of OLP.


Keywords

Nitric oxide synthase;nitric oxide;oral lichen planus;oral mucosa


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