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Langerin-expressing and CD83-expressing cells in oral lichen planus lesions
Jenny Gustafson1, Christina Eklund, Mats Wallström
1Section of Oral Immunology/Clinic for Oral Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Insights
Oral lichen planus (OLP) shows increased Langerhans cells (LCs) expressing CD1a and Langerin in the epithelium. CD83+ dendritic cells in OLP connective tissue suggest ongoing autoantigen presentation in oral lichen planus.
Area of Science:
- Immunodermatology
- Oral Pathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Langerhans cells (LCs) are implicated in oral lichen planus (OLP) pathogenesis.
- LCs present autoantigens, initiating T cell responses.
- Langerin and CD83 are key molecules on LCs involved in antigen presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Langerin and CD83 on LCs in OLP.
- To compare LC markers in OLP lesions versus healthy oral mucosa.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD1a, Langerin, and CD83.
- Biopsies from seven OLP patients and seven healthy controls were analyzed.
- Monoclonal antibodies identified molecule-expressing cells.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher frequencies of CD1a+ and Langerin+ cells were observed in OLP epithelium compared to controls.
- Increased CD1a+, Langerin+, and CD83+ cells were found in OLP connective tissue.
- CD83+ dendritic cells were localized near lymphocyte clusters in OLP connective tissue.
Conclusions:
- OLP exhibits elevated numbers of CD1a and Langerin-expressing LCs.
- The presence of CD83+ dendritic cells in OLP connective tissue suggests active autoantigen presentation.
- These findings contribute to understanding OLP immunopathogenesis.
Objective:
Dendritic Langerhans cells (LCs) have been attributed a role in the pathogenesis of lichen planus as autoantigen-presenting cells initiating expansion of autoreactive T cells. Langerin and CD83, which are cell molecules expressed on LCs, are associated with antigen presentation. The present study examined expression of Langerin and CD83 molecules on LCs in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).
Material And Methods:
Biopsies were obtained from seven patients with OLP. Oral mucosa from seven healthy subjects served as controls. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were used in standard immunohistochemical procedures to visualize CD1a-, Langerin-, and CD83-molecule-expressing cells.
Results:
CD1a+ and Langerin+ cells were found in significantly higher frequencies in OLP epithelium compared with healthy oral epithelium (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively); however, the frequency of CD83+ cells did not differ (p>0.05). The connective tissue in OLP lesions showed significantly higher frequencies of CD1a+, Langerin+, and CD83+ cells compared with healthy connective tissue (p<0.01, p<0.01, and p<0.05). CD1a+ and Langerin+ cells in OLP and healthy epithelium had a dendritic morphology.
Conclusions:
The study shows increased numbers of CD1a- and Langerin-expressing LCs in OLP compared with healthy controls. In the connective tissue, CD83+ cells with dendritic morphology were localized to regions of lymphocyte clusters. The presence of CD83+ dendritic cells in areas of lymphocyte clusters in the connective tissue of OLP lesions indicates the possibility of ongoing autoantigen presentation.