Desmocollin Expression Related to DNA Content in Oral Lichen Planus

Objectives: Desmocollin is an adhesion molecule of desmosome in epitehlia. Expression patterns of desmocollin-1 in atrophic oral lichen planus (OLP) were correlated with the DNA content of the lesions (assessed by static cytometry), previously shown to be a useful predictor of malignant transformation . Materials and methods: A series of 82 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsies from 70 patients suffering from atrophic-erosive OLP were stained with monoclonal desmocollin-1 antibody using standard immunohistochemical methods. Basal and parabasal epithelial layers were examined on light microscopy at 250x magnification. Desmocollin expression was graded as a) negative, b) partial staining, and c) intense staining. Results: Dysplastic changes were found in 7/70 (10%) OLP patients. Intense staining of desmocollin was found in 7 (8.5%) of the lesions, partial staining in 13 (15.9%), while no expression was present in 62 (75.6%) lesions. Staining of desmocollin correlated statistically significantly with histological parameters as dysplasia (P=0.000), ulceration (P=0.000), atrophy (P=0.008) and reduction of cellular cohesion (P=0.000). 2.5c and 5c exceeding rate are parameters meaning the fraction of the measured cells exceeding the 2.5c or 5c value of the DNA scale. Desmocollin correlated statistically significantly to 5cER (P=0.045) in OLP but not to 2.5cER (P=0.071). Conclusions: Desmocollin might be a useful marker for the DNA content in oral lichen planus lesions prone to develop malignant.