Role of Th1/Th2 imbalance mediated by T cell glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes hexokinase 2, phosphofructokinase-1, and pyruvate kinase M2 in oral lichen planus

Background We aimed to explore the role of T helper cell 1 (Th1)/Th2 imbalance mediated by T cell glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase-1 (PEK1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in oral lichen planus (OLP). Methods A total of 120 OLP patients treated in our hospital and 120 volunteers undergoing extraction of impacted teeth between January 2023 and January 2024 were recruited as study and control groups, respectively. The expressions of HK2, PEK1, PKM2, Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and Th2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the oral mucosa were measured. Analyses were conducted on the correlations of HK2, PEK1, and PKM2 with the Th1/Th2 cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-4 as well as their diagnostic values for OLP. Results Higher expressions of HK2, PEK1 and PKM2, increased mRNA expression of IL-4 and a reduced mRNA expression of IFN-gamma were detected in the oral mucosa of OLP patients with erosion, severe lymphocyte infiltration and severe liquefaction degeneration of basal cells (P<0.05). According to receiver operating characteristic curves, the diagnostic efficiency of the combination of T cell glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes (HK2, PEK1 and PKM2) with Th1/Th2 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4) was higher than that of any single indicator. Conclusions Increased expressions of T cell glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes HK2, PEK1 and PKM2 and obvious Th1/Th2 imbalance are found in the oral mucosa of OLP patients, being associated with the basic pathological changes.