title: T cell antigen receptor expression by intra-epithelial lymphocytes in oral lichen planus.
abstract: The distribution of T lymphocytes expressing the alpha beta or gamma delta heterodimer of the T cell receptor (TCR) was examined in normal oral mucosa (NOM) and reticular oral lichen planus (OLP) using a panel of antibodies specific for CD3, the alpha beta TCR and the gamma delta TCR. Intra-epithelial lymphocytes were counted and epithelial surface length was measured by image analysis. T cells in the lamina propria were not quantified. Total intra-epithelial lymphocytes were increased in OLP compared with NOM (P = 0.0004). The proportions of cells expressing the gamma delta TCR in NOM and OLP were 10% and 9.3%, respectively, suggesting there is no selective recruitment from the circulation of either alpha beta or gamma delta TCR-bearing cells into normal oral epithelium or that affected by OLP. The role, if any, of gamma delta T cells in the pathogenesis of OLP remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, England.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Thornhill
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Farthing
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D002465:Cell Movement; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta