Paucity of immune complexes in skin lesions of lichen planus

The significance of deposition of immunoglobulin and/or complements at the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) and civatte bodies in skin lesions of 15 histopathologically confirmed cases of lichen planus (LP) was evaluated. Civatte boides were seen in 6 (40%) patients while in 9 (60%) these were absent. IgM, IgG, IgA and C3 were seen within civatte bodies in 6, 3, 2 and 3 specimens respectively in various combinations. LP lesions of a shorter duration (one year or less) had civatte bodies while these were absent in those with disease of a longer duration (more than 1 year). Immune complex deposition was seen in only 2 patients. It is concluded that civatte bodies are of diagnostic importance in lichen planus lesions of a short duration only and immune complexes do not seem to play a significant role in its pathogenesis.