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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Using RNA-interference to Investigate the Innate Immune Response in Mouse Macrophages
Published on: November 3, 2014
Potential different immune phenotypes of macrophages in oral lichen planus by integrating immunofluorescence double
Qianqian Zhang1, Ran Zhao1, Xuemin Shen1
1Department of Oral Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
Background/Purpose:
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with obscure etiopathogenesis. Macrophages play an important role in interaction between innate and adaptive immunity. This study aimed to investigate the macrophage phenotypes and obtain more comprehensive gene characteristics of macrophages in OLP.
Materials And Methods:
Double cluster of differentiation (CD) 68/CD86 and CD68/CD206 immunofluorescence staining was conducted in 11 biopsy-proven OLP tissue samples and 5 health control (HC) to represent M1 and M2 macrophages, respectively. The number of positively stained cells was manually counted, and the density was calculated. Furtherly, OLP single-cell dataset GSE211630 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Gene characteristics and functional analysis of the macrophages were elucidated.
Results:
In the OLP group, the densities of M1 (P < 0.001), M2 macrophages (P < 0.001) and M1/M2 ratio (P = 0.001) were significantly higher than those in HC group. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that proportions of CXCL10 macrophages (P = 0.003), IL1B/MMP19 macrophages (P < 0.001) were increased in OLP tissues compared with those in HC. Macrophages in OLP tissues had a stronger ability to cell chemotaxis, positive regulation of cell adhesion and antigen processing and presentation. Functional analysis revealed macrophages in OLP tissues could interact with multiple immune cells, and multiple signaling pathways were associated with macrophages in OLP.
Conclusion:
A pro-inflammatory status of macrophages with different gene characteristics was found in the microenvironment of OLP by integrating immunofluorescence double staining and single-cell RNA sequencing, which provided a potential target for clinical treatment of OLP.
Insights
This study reveals oral lichen planus (OLP) features a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype with distinct gene characteristics. These findings offer potential therapeutic targets for OLP treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oral Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with unclear origins.
- Macrophages are key immune cells involved in both innate and adaptive immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macrophage phenotypes in OLP.
- To characterize the gene expression profiles of macrophages in OLP.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence staining (CD68/CD86 for M1, CD68/CD206 for M2) on OLP tissues and healthy controls (HC).
- Analysis of OLP single-cell RNA sequencing dataset (GSE211630) for macrophage gene characteristics and functions.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher densities of M1 and M2 macrophages and an increased M1/M2 ratio were observed in OLP compared to HC.
- Increased proportions of CXCL10 and IL1B/MMP19 macrophages were found in OLP.
- Macrophages in OLP exhibited enhanced cell chemotaxis, cell adhesion, and antigen processing capabilities.
Conclusions:
- OLP is characterized by a pro-inflammatory macrophage status with unique gene signatures.
- These findings suggest macrophages as potential therapeutic targets for OLP.
