Lymphocytotoxicity for oral mucosa in lichen planus

The in vitro effect of peripheral blood lymphocytes on syngeneic oral epithelial cells was investigated in 23 patients suffering from lichen planus of skin and/or mucous membranes and in 18 healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers as controls. A modified 51Cr release macro-assay was used. The result shows a significant lymphocytotoxic effect on the epithelial target cells, giving evidence of cytolytic activities of blood lymphocytes on autologous epithelial cells. We consider these lymphocytes to be involved in the complex pathogenesis of lichen planus.