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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies
Published on: August 11, 2023
[Immunomorphology of oral lichen planus]
O F Rabinovich1, A A Ivina2, A V Guseva1
1Central Research Institute of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
Insights
Oral lichen planus involves increased immune cells like Langerhans cells and T lymphocytes, leading to keratinocyte destruction. The erosive form also shows immune complex activation, indicating distinct pathological mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunohistochemistry
- Oral pathology
- Cellular immunology
Context:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting oral mucosa.
- Reticular and erosive forms represent distinct clinical presentations of OLP.
- Understanding the cellular and molecular basis of OLP is crucial for effective management.
Purpose:
- To investigate the immunohistochemical differences between reticular and erosive OLP.
- To identify key cellular players and molecular changes in OLP pathogenesis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying keratinocyte damage and immune response in OLP.
Summary:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of reticular OLP revealed increased Langerhans cells (CD1a), mast cells (CD25), and T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, CD16) in the oral epithelium.
- These immune cells secrete TNF-α, causing basal keratinocyte destruction and reduced E-cadherin expression, leading to decreased proliferation (21.7±10.2% vs. 33.6±7.0%).
- Erosive OLP additionally shows IgG and C3d deposition, confirming immune complex involvement in erosion sites.
Impact:
- Provides detailed insights into the cellular infiltrate and inflammatory mediators in OLP.
- Highlights the role of immune dysregulation and keratinocyte damage in OLP pathogenesis.
- Suggests potential therapeutic targets by identifying key immune cells and pathways involved in OLP.
Abstract:
The article is devoted to immunohistochemical study of reticular and erosive forms of oral lichen planus. Morphological examination of the reticular form revealed the increased number of Langerhans cells (CD1a), mast cells (CD25) and T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, CD16) in the oral epithelium. Activation of these cells leads to the secretion of TNF-α and destruction of basal keratinocytes, which manifests as a focal reduction of intercellular protein expression of E-cadherin. Destruction of basal keratinocytes in a reticular form of oral lichen planus is accompanied by a significant decrease in proliferative activity of the basal cell layer (21.7±10.2%) compared with normal mucosa (33.6±7.0%), p=0.0045. In erosive form along with the above changes IgG and C3d complement's elements are revealed, which confirms the activation of immune complex mechanisms in the erosion area.
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