Epinephrine as a potential driver of oral lichen planus pathogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by CD8+ T cell-mediated apoptosis of oral epithelial cells. While psychological stress has been implicated in OLP pathogenesis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study explores the role of epinephrine, a primary stress-related catecholamine, in OLP progression. We found that high concentrations of epinephrine induce cytotoxicity in oral keratinocytes, marked by reduced cell viability and increased DNA damage. High-dose epinephrine also elevates oxidative stress by downregulating antioxidant proteins SOD2 and SESN2. Additionally, it activates the STAT3 signaling pathway through both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. Furthermore, epinephrine increases levels of HMGB1 and extracellular ATP, key damage-

SUBMITTER: Kim YG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12624973 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature