TGF-beta1 cytokine and TGF-beta1 receptors I, II, III expression in lichen sclerosus of vulva

The aim of the study: Evaluation of the expression of TGF-beta1 and its receptors in tissues with vulvar lichen sclerosus. Material and methods: 23 vulvar tissue samples (9 cases of lichen sclerosus, 14 – normal tissues) obtained during diagnosis or surgery from patients hospitalised in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Bytom. Vulvar tissue samples obtained during plastic surgery were used as a control group. All tissue samples had histopathological and molecular examination to the presence of TGF-beta 1 and its receptors I, II, III genes. Quantitative analysis was performed using QRT-PCR (Taq Man) technique.
Results: Mean number of mRNA copies in lichen sclerosus was: for TGF-beta1 – 11484.6, TGF R1 – 26530.8, TGF R2 – 27851.7 and TGF R3 – 15373.6 in 1 mg of total RNA. The mean number of mRNA copies in 1 mg of total RNA in the control group was: TGF-beta1 – 463.9, 1185.9 – TGF R1, 3450.9 – TGF R2 and 340.9 – TGF R3.
Conclusions: 1. The pathological vulvar tissue is characterised with a bigger expression of TGF-beta1 and its receptors comparing to a health tissue. 2. The highest expression of TGFR1 and TGFR2 genes in vulvar lichen sclerosus suggesting enough cycle control of tissue by TGF-beta1. 3. The group of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus needs control, becouse the vulvar pathology can be higher.