Possible neuroimmunomodulation therapy in T-cell-mediated oral diseases

• Main Authors: Tsuyoshi Sato, Michihiko Usui, Yuichiro Enoki, Shoichiro Kokabu, Tetsuya Yoda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
• Series: Dental Hypotheses
• Subjects: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction; oral lichen planus (OLP); recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS); selective α7 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 -nAChR) agonists; T helper 1/T helper 17 (T h 1/T h 17) cell activation; the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
• Online Access: http://www.dentalhypotheses.com/article.asp?issn=2155-8213;year=2015;volume=6;issue=2;spage=49;epage=52;aulast=Sato

Introduction: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oral lichen planus are local chronic inflammatory diseases which are implicated in T cell-mediated immunity. According to the systematic review, there is insufficient evidence to support any specific treatment for T-cell mediated oral diseases. The hypothesis: In this paper, we propose a hypothesis that recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oral lichen planus can be treated with selective α7 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 -nAChR) agonists. Our hypothesis is supported by the following two facts. First, the pathophysiological conditions, T h 1/T h 17 cell activation and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, are observed in T-cell mediated oral diseases as well as in T-cell mediated systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Second, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is inhibited in systemic T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory diseases. On the other hand, treatment with α7 -nAChR agonists which activate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway suppresses neuroinflammation via inhibition of T h 1/T h 17 responses in animal model of systemic T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory diseases. We thus expect that selective α7 -nAChR agonists will be effective for the treatment of T-cell mediated oral diseases. Evaluation of the hypothesis: To test our hypothesis, we need to develop in vivo mouse model of T-cell mediated oral diseases. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a selective α7 -nAChR agonist, we choose ABT-107 because of its safety and tolerability. We believe that the selective α7 -nAChR agonist, especially ABT-107, may be a therapeutic drug to treat T-cell mediated oral diseases.