Increased number of Langerhans cells in oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to quantify the presence of Langerhans cells (LC) in oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL), comparing them with normal epithelium.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with biopsy-proven OLP or OLL were selected for the study, as well as 23 control subjects free of inflammatory conditions. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed using the streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex method with CD1a and CD83 primary antibodies. Densities were compared between groups and correlated with microscopic findings.


RESULTS
Patients with lichenoid conditions (OLP + OLL) presented higher densities of CD1a(+) cells than the control subjects (P = .03). Higher densities of CD1a were associated with a thinner layer of inflammatory cells (P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that OLP and OLL are characterized by the recruitment of LC, which may play a significant role on its pathogenesis.
Oral Medicine Unit, Department of Clinics and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Luiz Alcino
LA
Gueiros
Rogério
R
Gondak
Jacks
J
Jorge Júnior
Ricardo Della
RD
Coletta
Alessandra de Albuquerque
Ade A
Carvalho
Jair Carneiro
JC
Leão
Oslei Paes
OP
de Almeida
Pablo Agustin
PA
Vargas
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D017512:Lichenoid Eruptions / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000097802:CD83 Antigen
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D000097802:CD83 Antigen; C419393:CD1a antigen