A total of 3 OLP-MFs and 3 NFs were selected for Simple Western analysis. Total protein expression of α-SMA and IL-6 were assessed using an automated capillary electrophoresis-sized-based Simple Western system using a Wes machine (ProteinSimple). Simple Western is a gel-free, blot-free, capillary-based, automated protein immunodetection system that automates all the steps following sample preparation, including sample loading, size-based protein separation, immunoprobing, washing, detection and data analysis (16 (link),17 (link)). All procedures were performed using the manufacturer's reagents and according to protocol. Data were analyzed with Compass software (version 4.0; ProteinSimple). Anti-α smooth muscle Actin antibody (1:2,000; cat. no. ab5694; Abcam), anti-IL6 antibody (1:2,000; cat. no. ab6672; Abcam) and GAPDH (clone 6C5; 1:5,000; cat. no. MAB374-AF647; Chemicon International; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.) were used, with GAPDH being used as the loading control.