Th1 cytokines in oral lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Cell-mediated immune responses in oral lichen planus (OLP) may be regulated by cytokines and their receptors.


METHODS
In situ cytokine expression and in vitro cytokine secretion in OLP were determined by immunohistochemistry and ELISA.


RESULTS
The majority of subepithelial and intraepithelial mononuclear cells in OLP were CD8+. In some cases, intraepithelial CD8+ cells were adjacent to degenerating keratinocytes. CD4+ cells were observed mainly in the deep lamina propria with occasional CD4+ cells close to basal keratinocytes. Mononuclear cells expressed IFN-gamma in the superficial lamina propria and TNF-alpha adjacent to basal keratinocytes. Basal keratinocytes expressed TNF-alpha as a continuous band. TNF R1 was expressed by mononuclear cells and basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. There was variable expression of TGF-beta1 in the subepithelial infiltrate while all intraepithelial mononuclear cells were TGF-beta1-. Keratinocytes in OLP stained weakly for TGF-beta1. Unstimulated OLP lesional T cells secreted IFN-gamma in vitro. TNF-alpha stimulation down-regulated IFN-gamma secretion and up-regulated TNF-alpha secretion. IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 secretion were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest the development of a T helper 1 immune response that may promote CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell activity in OLP.
Khan
Ambereen
A
Oral Biology and Pathology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Farah
Camile S
CS
Savage
Neil W
NW
Walsh
Laurence J
LJ
Harbrow
Doug J
DJ
Sugerman
Philip B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000502:physiology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma