Immunohistochemical study of glucose transporter protein expression in oral lichen planus

Abstract

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory disease that
is somewhat frequently manifested in various clinical forms: reticular OLP (ROLP) and erosive
OLP (EOLP), and some cases are associated with dysplasia. Higher risk of malignant transformation
has been linked to dysplastic alterations in OLP. Glucose transporter protein (GLUT1) is a
transmembrane glycoprotein associated with increased glucose metabolism and proliferation of
cells. This study’s objective was to analyze and compare the expression patterns of GLUT1 in
EOLP, ROLP, and lichen planus‑related dysplasia in an attempt to acquire improved knowledge of
the molecular pathways that underlie the etiology and advancement of OLP.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, analysis of GLUT1 expression was
done in 32 samples of OLP (16 for ROLP, 10 for EOLP, and 6 for OLP with dysplasia) with
immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s Chi‑square and F‑tests,
with significance set at P < 0.05. The immune GLUT‑1 expression was evaluated semi‑quantitatively
and qualitatively at ×100 magnification.
Results: The mean percentage of GLUT1‑positive cells in ROLP (16.53 ± 11.72) was lower than
that in EOLP and OLP with dysplasia. Among the three groups, there was a significant difference in
terms of staining intensity, intracellular location, and extent of GLUT1 immunoexpression within
the epithelium layers (0.000, 0.034, and 0.006, respectively).
Conclusion: GLUT1 overexpression reflects increased glycolytic activity of proliferating cells in
response to hypoxia and high energy requirements in EOLP and OLP‑related dysplasia. GLUT1
expression may predict the malignant potential of OLP toward oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Key Words: Lichen planus, oral; glucose transporter type 1; carcinoma, squamous cell;neoplasm progression

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 Abeer Salah Salman: Pubmed,Google Scholar