Lichen planus remission is associated with a decrease of human herpes virus type 7 protein expression in plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
The cause of lichen planus is still unknown. Previously we showed human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7) DNA and proteins in lesional lichen planus skin, and significantly less in non-lesional lichen planus, psoriasis or healthy skin. Remarkably, lesional lichen planus skin was infiltrated with plasmacytoid dendritic cells. If HHV-7 is associated with lichen planus, then HHV-7 replication would reduce upon lichen planus remission. HHV-7 DNA detection was performed by nested PCR and HHV-7 protein by immunohistochemistry on lesional skin biopsies from lichen planus patients before treatment and after remission. Biopsies were obtained from lichen planus lesions before treatment (n = 18 patients) and after remission (n = 13). Before treatment 61% biopsies contained HHV-7 DNA versus 8% after remission (P = 0.01). HHV-7-protein positive cell numbers diminished significantly after remission in both dermis and epidermis. Expression of HHV-7 was mainly detected in BDCA-2 positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells rather than CD-3 positive lymphocytes. HHV-7 replicates in plasmacytoid dendritic cells in lesional lichen planus skin and diminishes after remission. This study further supports our hypothesis that HHV-7 is associated with lichen planus pathogenesis.
de Vries
Henry J C
HJ
Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. h.j.devries@amc.nl
Teunissen
Marcel B M
MB
Zorgdrager
Fokla
F
Picavet
Daisy
D
Cornelissen
Marion
M
D017255:Acitretin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D012074:Remission Induction; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014764:Viral Proteins; D017255:Acitretin