The Expression Of Caspase-9,Apaf-1 In Linchen Planus And The Relationship Between Them And Keratinocytes Apoptosis

Objiect: To study the apoptosis of the keratinocytes in lichen planus and examine the expression and distribution of caspase-9,Apaf-1 in lichen planus. Analysis the relationship between the expression of them and the events of cell apoptosis in lichen planus.Methods: TUNEL and Immunohistochemical technique were employed to study apoptosis of keratinocytes and the expression of caspase-9,Apaf-1 in 30 linchen planus and 30 normal skin specimens.Caspase-9 mRNA were observed by RT-PCR in 10 linchen planus and 8 mormal skin.Results:The keratinocytes apoptosis index (AI) 75.67±9.4 in lichen planus were increased than its 38.15±9.6 in normal contral(P<0.01).Compared with the normal control group,positive units(PU) of caspase-9 and Apaf-1 was 14.45±2.72 and 11.93±3.14 which were upregulated in keratinocyte in lichen planus (P<0.01);Caspase-9mRNA 2.304±0.417 were also increased in LP than its in nomal skin(P<0.05);Both caspase-9 and Apaf-1 were direct correlation with their own keratinocytes apoptosis index r₁=0.965 r₂=0.939 (P<0.01) .Conclusion: The apoptosis of keratinocytes were significantly accelerated in lichen planus; Caspase-9 and Apaf-1 might be participated in the apoptosis of kerationcytes in LP cases; Mitochondria apoptosis pathway may contribute to the formation and progression of lichen planus.