Biological Functions of CCL5-CCR5 Axis in Oral Lichen Planus

Objectives: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disorder with T cell mediated immunological pathogenesis. C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and its receptor C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) play important roles in the activation and recruitment of T cells. This study sought to explore the expression and biological functions of the CCL5-CCR5 axis in OLP.
Methods: We examined the expression of the CCL5-CCR5 axis in the peripheral blood and oral tissue of healthy controls and OLP patients using quantitative real-time PCR, Simple Western assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we investigated the effects of the CCL5-CCR5 axis on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of OLP T cells using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay,respectively.
Results: We found that the expression of the CCL5-CCR5 axis was significantly elevated both in the peripheral blood and oral tissue of OLP patients compared with healthy controls. CCL5 not only promoted OLP T cell proliferation and migration but also inhibited OLP T cell apoptosis. Moreover, CCR5 inhibition suppressed OLP T cell proliferation and migration, whereas OLP T cell apoptosis was promoted.
Conclusions: In conclusion, our data suggest that the CCL5-CCR5 axis may be closely related to the inflammatory infiltration of T cells in OLP.