Langerin-expressing and CD83-expressing cells in oral lichen planus lesions.
OBJECTIVE
Dendritic Langerhans cells (LCs) have been attributed a role in the pathogenesis of lichen planus as autoantigen-presenting cells initiating expansion of autoreactive T cells. Langerin and CD83, which are cell molecules expressed on LCs, are associated with antigen presentation. The present study examined expression of Langerin and CD83 molecules on LCs in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).


METHODS
Biopsies were obtained from seven patients with OLP. Oral mucosa from seven healthy subjects served as controls. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were used in standard immunohistochemical procedures to visualize CD1a-, Langerin-, and CD83-molecule-expressing cells.


RESULTS
CD1a+ and Langerin+ cells were found in significantly higher frequencies in OLP epithelium compared with healthy oral epithelium (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively); however, the frequency of CD83+ cells did not differ (p>0.05). The connective tissue in OLP lesions showed significantly higher frequencies of CD1a+, Langerin+, and CD83+ cells compared with healthy connective tissue (p<0.01, p<0.01, and p<0.05). CD1a+ and Langerin+ cells in OLP and healthy epithelium had a dendritic morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows increased numbers of CD1a- and Langerin-expressing LCs in OLP compared with healthy controls. In the connective tissue, CD83+ cells with dendritic morphology were localized to regions of lymphocyte clusters. The presence of CD83+ dendritic cells in areas of lymphocyte clusters in the connective tissue of OLP lesions indicates the possibility of ongoing autoantigen presentation.
Gustafson
Jenny
J
Section of Oral Immunology/Clinic for Oral Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Eklund
Christina
C
Wallström
Mats
M
Zellin
Göran
G
Magnusson
Bengt
B
Hasséus
Bengt
B
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001324:Autoantigens; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000097802:CD83 Antigen
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D001324:Autoantigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D000097802:CD83 Antigen; C419393:CD1a antigen; C121916:CD207 protein, human