People with oral lichen planus have higher levels of interleukin-6 and cortisol in their saliva than people without the condition, and higher levels of these biomarkers are linked to more severe...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Stress triggers the body to release cortisol, which disrupts immune control in the mouth. This causes immune cells to overproduce IL-6, which inflames and damages the oral lining, making sores worse. The higher the stress and IL-6, the more severe the sores become.
Most probable mechanism
When a person experiences stress, their brain signals the body to release a hormone called cortisol, which disrupts the normal control of immune cells in the mouth. This causes immune cells to overproduce a chemical called IL-6, which triggers more inflammation, damages the lining of the mouth, and makes sores worse. The more stress and inflammation present, the more severe the mouth sores become.
Psychological stress activates the hypothalamus to release corticotropin-releasing hormone
Corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH, which triggers the adrenal glands to produce cortisol
Elevated cortisol impairs regulatory T-cell function and promotes Th1 and Th17 cell dominance in oral mucosal tissue
Dysregulated T-cells and dendritic cells in the oral mucosa increase production of interleukin-6
Interleukin-6 drives activation of B-cells, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and production of tissue-damaging mediators in the oral epithelium
Sustained interleukin-6 signaling and immune cell infiltration cause epithelial disruption, erythema, reticulation, and ulceration of the oral mucosa
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Contradicting (0)
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