Inflammatory cells of immunosuppressive phenotypes in oral lichen planus have a proinflammatory pattern of expression and are associated with clinical parameters.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the expression of cells with immunosuppressive/protumorigenic phenotypes in oral lichen planus (OLP), such as M2-tumor-associated macrophages (TAM2), myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in association with clinical parameters.


METHODS
Cases of hyperkeratotic (HK)-OLP (n = 23) and erosive (E)-OLP (n = 26) were immunohistochemically stained to determine the percentages of CD163-TAM2, CD80-MDSCs, and FOXP3-Tregs of proinflammatory CD121a-Th17, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, and of cells positive for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and transforming growth factor beta. Clinical parameters included symptoms, treatment approach, treatment response, and others.


RESULTS
The inflammatory infiltrate in HK-OLP and E-OLP contained immunosuppressive cells; however, their pattern of expression was compatible with a proinflammatory response [membranous CD163-TAM2 staining (not extracellular), CD80+ lymphocytes (not macrophages), and a few Tregs]. The presence of CD4+, CD8+, and CD121a+ T lymphocytes was extensive. TAM2 were more frequent in E-OLP than in HK-OLP (P = 0.017). A higher frequency of CD80+ lymphocytes was associated with partial to no response to treatment (P = 0.028). Nuclear expression of NF-κB in the inflammatory cells was absent.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of expression of the immunosuppressive cells, together with numerous CD4+, CD8+, and Th17-CD121a+ lymphocytes, suggest an extensive proinflammatory response rather than an immunosuppressive/protumorigenic response.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of selective types of inflammatory cells calls for individual profile analyses of inflammatory infiltrates and individually adjusted treatment.
Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. lmy@netvision.net.il
Marilena
M
Vered
Eran
E
Fürth
Yifat
Y
Shalev
Dan
D
Dayan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000276:immunology; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology; D013491:Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; D058504:Th17 Cells; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology; D000098902:CD163 Antigen
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D000098902:CD163 Antigen; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013491:Suppressor Factors, Immunologic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta