Expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 in oral lichen planus.
OBJECTIVE
The expression pattern of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 (LFA-3) in the buccal mucosa of oral lichen planus (OLP) patients was compared to that of healthy controls to investigate the possible role of LFA-3 in cell interactions within OLP lesions.


METHODS
Samples of buccal mucosa from 17 clinically healthy individuals and 17 OLP lesions were analysed. Expression of LFA-3, CD2, CD3 and CD14 was visualized by an immunoperoxidase technique and assessed microscopically.


RESULTS
In healthy buccal mucosa LFA-3 was expressed on keratinocytes, Langerhans cells within the epithelium and on endothelial cells in the lamina propria. In OLP patients a similar pattern of LFA-3 staining was observed. In addition, cytoplasmic LFA-3 without accompanying surface staining, was seen on a subpopulation of macrophage-like cells. Substantial amounts of LFA-3 also appeared to be associated with non-cellular components of the extracellular matrix within the inflammatory infiltrate.


CONCLUSIONS
We have obtained evidence for a previously undescribed localization of LFA-3 within macrophages, and have observed that expression of LFA-3 is apparently elevated within OLP lesions. LFA-3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP.
Kirby
A C
AC
Department of Oral Medicine, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, London, UK.
Olsen
I
I
Farthing
P M
PM
Porter
S R
SR
D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018968:CD58 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D018801:CD2 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors