The possible roles of molecular chaperons like heat shock proteins (HSPs) into Lichen Planus (LP)-onset and pathogenesis have been investigated. The present study determined the expression of both HSP60 and HSP70 genes in cutaneous LP (CLP) and oral LP (OLP) lesions compared to normal healthy cases and between different subtypes of OLP lesions by real-time (RT)-PCR. Paraffin blocks of LP lesions including 56 OLP and 56 CLP samples, along with 56 biopsy samples of healthy normal participants were picked. The demographic and clinical characteristics were noted. The real-time RT-PCR method was employed to evaluate the expression of HSP60 and HPS70 genes. 

Significant overexpression of HSP60 and HSP70 genes was noted in both groups (CLP and OLP) than the normal participants. However, their amount was not significantly different between the two groups (CLP and OLP). Additionally, the expression of the HSP60 and HSP70 in erosive subtypes of OLP was found to be significantly higher than the non-erosive subtypes of OLP. 

Thus the overexpression of HSP60 and HSP70 in the LP lesions than healthy biopsies explains their key roles in the etiopathogenesis of the OLP and CLP lesions. Additionally, their overexpression in the erosive OLP group compared to the non-erosive OLP group highlights their possible roles in the pathogenesis and premalignant changes of OLP lesions.

SOURCE- Mohtasham N, Shahabinejad M, Kafiroudi S, Mohajertehran F. Evaluation of the altered tissue expression of HSP60 and HSP70 genes in oral and cutaneous lichen planus compared to normal healthy tissues. Indian J Dermatol 2021;66:591-7