The ultrastructure of the dermo-epidermal junction in lichen planus

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the dermo-epidermal junctional area in biopsy material from 5 patients suffering from lichen planus has been studied during treatment with steroids. Tannic acid was used on the tissue blocks in order to provide high and diversified contrast for electron microscopy. The changes observed in the basal cells consisted mainly of degeneration of the mitochondria and disorganization of the tonofilaments. No ultrastructural changes were seen in the basal lamina, apart from occasional gaps, whose significance for pigment incontinence in old lichen planus lesions is discussed. Cellular infiltration was seen in the dermis, while the ultrastructure of the collagen fibrils of the papillary layer was normal. It is suggested that degeneration of mitochondria with subsequent disturbance of the organization and fixation of tonofilaments are events in the pathogenesis of the condition.

Lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis: Recognition, classification, etiology, and clinicopathological overtones

“…[45] In such instances, the typical histopathological changes are confined largely to the margins of the ulcer. [46][47][48] Lichen nitidus Unlike lichen planus, asymptomatic lesions having predilection for the upper extremities, chest, abdomen, and male genitalia [49][50][51][52][53] clinically characterize it. Previously recorded summertime actinic lichenoid eruption (SALE), may well represent the actinic form of lichen nitidus.…”

“…[54] The histopathology is picturesque, a dense, well-circumcised subepidermal infiltrate enclosed by a ''claw-like'' rete ridges. [29,53,55] Overlying epidermis is thinned out with occasional civatte bodies [Figure 3].…”

Lichen nitidus: electron microscopic and immunofluorescence studies

“…which might originate from melanocytes dropping through thc gaps in the basal lamina. A '>imilar tinding i\ reported in lichen planu, as a po<;sible mechanism underlying pigment inconti nence (3).…”

“…The ultrastructure in lichen nitidus has been re ported to be indistinguishable f r om that of lichen planus in one patient so far studied (I). In order to obtain more information about the relationship be tween lichen nitidus and lichen planus we wish to present an electron microscopic and immuno-fluorescence study of lichen nitidus in relation to a series of lichen planus cases published previous ly (3).…”

Involvement of post-capillary venules in Beh√ßet´s disease: an electronmicroscopic study

“…Biopsies were taken from an oral ulceration, about 3 days old, as well as from apparently normal oral mucosa to serve as a control. The specimens were treated ac cording to the procedure previously described (2).…”