Assessment of Langerhans' cells in oral lichen planus using monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

In order to demonstrate Langerhans' cells in epithelium of oral lichen planus, monoclonal antibodies were used as immunological markers in combination with immunohistochemistry. By the use of anti‐Ia antibodies the Langerhans' cells were shown to express an increased number of Ia‐like antigens in comparison to the amounts found in healthy oral mucosa. The subepithelial infiltrate of mononuclear cells expressed identical Ia‐like antigens on their surfaces. With anti‐T6 antibodies as immunological markers, the number of Langerhans' cells was found to be virtually identical in diseased and healthy epithelium. Treatment of oral lichen planus with tretinoin resulted in a decrease of epithelial Ia‐like antigens compared with the number found in untreated lesions. However, treatment with tretinoin did not alter the frequency of Langerhans' cell marked with anti‐T6 antibodies. The present data demonstrate an increased amount of la‐like antigens per number of T6‐positive Langerhans' cells in diseased oral mucosa compared to healthy conditions. The increased expression of Ia‐like antigens on Langerhans' cells and the contemporary finding of Ia‐like antigens on the subepithelial T‐cells support the opinion that the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus is mainly a cell‐mediated type of immunological reaction.

Oral lichen planus: immunohistology of mucosal lesions

“…Augmented numbers of Langerhans cells in OLP was observed previously (32, 34, 36, 39–41). This finding is consistent with the prevailing view that a high density of dendritic cells CD1a+ (Langerhans cells) in the epithelium of OLP has an important role in the antigen presentation and T‐cell activation (42).…”

“…(43) observed similar expression of CD1a+ in Langerhans cells in OLP and NOM. However, Class II antigen expression by Langerhans cells was found higher in OLP demonstrating an increase of Langerhans cells immunologically active (39, 40, 43, 44).…”

Langerhans Cells and T Cells in Oral Graft versus Host Disease and Oral Lichen Planus

“…Lichen planus (LP) often affects the oral cavity, and the prevalence of OLP is estimated to be 1–2% in the adult population [8]. LC have been suggested to execute a crucial role in LP with respect to presenting antigens to T cells [3, 9]. LC are dendritic cells (DC) residing in mucosal and skin epithelium.…”

Update On Oral Lichen Planus: Etiopathogenesis and Management

“…The numbers of Langerhans cells may be normal in the LP lesions (Sloberg et al, 1984;Farthing et al, 1990) or increased (Bhan et al, 1981;Tosca et al, 1983;Regezi et al, 1985;Pitigala-Arachchi et al, 1989;Rich and Reade, 1989;Akasu et al, 1993). These cells may be more dendritic, suggesting an increased surface antigen expression or elevated dendritic growth, and there is a significant increase in HLA-DP and HLA-DQ (Farthing et al, 1990) and perhaps HLA-DR expression (Sloberg et al, 1984), possibly induced by local cytokine production.…”

“…These cells may be more dendritic, suggesting an increased surface antigen expression or elevated dendritic growth, and there is a significant increase in HLA-DP and HLA-DQ (Farthing et al, 1990) and perhaps HLA-DR expression (Sloberg et al, 1984), possibly induced by local cytokine production. Macrophage-related factor Xllla-positive dendrocytes (morphologically and phenotypically distinct from Langerhans cells) are also significantly increased in number and size in LP (Akasu et al, 1993;Regezi et al, 1994).…”