Histochemical identification of T cells in oral lichen planus.
Lysosomal activity was demonstrated in the majority of the lymphocytes forming the mononuclear cell infiltrate in oral lichen planus. Staining for acid phosphatase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, nonspecific esterase, and beta-glucuronidase was present in these cells in tissue sections, indicating their T cell origin. Small numbers of enzyme-negative lymphocytes were also present. Macrophages showing stronger staining were found scattered through the infiltrates in large numbers. These observations indicate roles for T cells and macrophages in the pathogenesis of lichen planus.
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology
D004950:Esterases; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase