Intra-epithelial CD8+ T cells and basement membrane disruption in oral lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
We investigated basement membrane (BM) disruption and the distribution of mast cells (MCs) and T cell subsets, in oral lichen planus (OLP) and normal buccal mucosa (NBM) using immunohistochemistry. In OLP, there were increased numbers of tryptase+ MCs in areas of BM disruption (P < 0.05).


METHODS
We identified clusters of intraepithelial CD8+ T cells in OLP, specifically in regions of BM disruption. The number of intraepithelial CD8+ T cells in regions of BM disruption was significantly greater than in regions of BM continuity (P < 0.05).


RESULTS
There were comparable numbers of lamina propria CD8+ T cells in regions of BM disruption and BM continuity. The number of CD4+ T cells in the epithelium and lamina propria of OLP lesions did not vary between regions of BM disruption and BM continuity.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest a role for MCs in epithelial BM disruption in OLP. CD8+ T cells may migrate through BM breaks to enter the OLP epithelium.
Zhou
Xijing J
XJ
Oral Biology & Pathology, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Sugerman
Philip B
PB
Savage
Neil W
NW
Walsh
Laurence J
LJ
Seymour
Gregory J
GJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002465:Cell Movement; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000473:pathology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology; D053802:Tryptases
D016827:CD8 Antigens; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053802:Tryptases