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

Abstract

Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) of the oral mucosa, following allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and oral lichen planus (OLP) are both mucosal diseases where the immune system is involved in the pathogenesis. Although the aetiology of the two conditions is different, they present with a similar clinical appearance. This study compares the two diseases regarding the distribution of cells, which are expressing cell surface markers of interest for inflammatory responses. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were used in standard immunohistochemical procedures. CD1a1, CD801 and CD861 cells in the epithelium of OLPand cGVHD lesions had the dendritic morphology of Langerhans cells (LC). Higher frequencies of CD1a1 LC as well as CD251 cells were observed in the OLP epithelium than in the cGVHD epithelium. The OLP lesions showed higher frequencies of subepithelial cells expressing CD1a, CD86, CD4, CD8 and CD25 than the cGVHD lesions. Notably there was a significantly higher frequency of CD251 cells in the epithelium and the connective tissue of OLP than in cGVHD. These cells might represent regulatory T cells. In conclusion, cGVHD and OLP show marked differences at the cellular level despite similar clinical appearance. Hence, the findings indicate differences in the regulation of the inflammatory response between the two conditions.

Immune receptors CD40 and CD86 in oral keratinocytes and implications for oral lichen planus

“…A subset of CD4+ T-cells that express CD25 represents regulatory T-cells that might be involved in the suppression of autoimmunity (57)(58)(59). Interestingly, CD25+ cells are upregulated in OLP (58).…”

“…Interestingly, CD25+ cells are upregulated in OLP (58). However, these cells are also thought to involved in infection persistence, perhaps in order to permit long-term immunity (57).…”

Langerhans cells in vulvar lichen sclerosus and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma

“…They can migrate to regional lymph nodes and present antigens to naive T cells [11,13]. Activated T cells can migrate to the skin and release cytokines (interleukin 1 and 2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), resulting in inflammatory infiltrates and skin diseases [8,21]. This is highly important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.…”

Annular Lichen planus: Study of the Cellular Mechanisms of Annularity

“…Once Langerhans cells have been exposed to antigens, they migrate to regional lymph nodes and present antigens to naive T cells. In consequence, activated T cells migrate and release a variety of cytokines, such as interleukins 1 and 2, and interferon γ, which might lead to band-like infiltration of lymphocytes, liquefaction degeneration of the basal cell layer of the epidermis, resulting in lichen planus lesions [8, 9]. …”