Immunohistochemical staining of infiltrates in oral lichen planus.
Immunohistochemical examination of lymphocyte and accessory cell infiltrates was performed in 24 cases of oral lichen planus using a double staining technique. The major population of the superficial stromal lymphocytes was T cells which were mostly composed of dominant CD 4+Leu8- (helper T cells) and lesser numbers of CD 8+11b- cells (cytotoxic T cells). Contrarily, many more CD 8+11b- cells than CD 4+Leu8- cells had infiltrated the epithelium. Some infiltrated T cells expressed interleukin-2 receptor and about half of cytotoxic T cells expressed class II antigen. HLA-DR-positive monocytes were also observed in both the superficial stroma and the epithelium. A number of HLA-DR-bearing CD 1+ cells (Langerhans/dendritic cells) and CD 11c+ cells (macrophages) were observed in the lower layers of the epithelium which were sometimes degenerative. Having significant correlation with the infiltration intensities of subepithelial macrophages and epithelial CD 8+ cells (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), epithelial Langerhans cells variably infiltrated. Superficial stromal CD 8+ cells correlated with epidermal CD 8+ and CD 4+ cell (helper/inducer T cells) infiltrates. These findings are consistent with the notion that Langerhans cells and macrophages play an important role in antigen presentation, and suggest that cellular immunity, mediated by cytotoxic T cells with helper T cells, may be related to the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.
Hirota
J
J
Department of Oral Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Osaki
T
T
Tatemoto
Y
Y
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II