Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in oral lichen planus

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease, presenting various clinical forms. Both antigen- specific and non- specific mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of OLP. Matrix MetalloProteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors are one of the mechanisms that would be activated in this disease. The study was conducted to explore the expression of Matrix MetalloProteinases (2&9) and their inhibitors and correlation between them in oral lichen planus. High expressions of MMPs and TIMPs in OLP indicate their role in pathogenesis of the disease as there is no expression of these enzymes in the control healthy; so they could be a diagnostic aid for OLP. There were significant correlation between the expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 in keratinocytes and lymphocytes. There was no correlation between the expression of MMP-9 in keratinocytes and lymphocytes.