T cell antigen receptor expression by intra-epithelial lymphocytes in oral lichen planus |
| |
Authors: | L J Walton M H Thornhill P M Farthing |
| |
Institution: | Department of Oral Pathology, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, England;Unit of Medicine in Dentistry, Turner Dental School, England |
| |
Abstract: | The distribution of T lymphocytes expressing the αβ or γδ heterodimer of the T cell receptor (TCR) was examined in normal oral mucosa (NOM) and reticular oral lichen planus (OLP) using a panel of antibodies specific for CD3, the αβ TCR and the γδ TCR. Intra-epithelial lymphocytes were counted and epithelial surface length was measured by image analysis. T cells in the lamina propria were not quantified. Total intra-epithelial lymphocytes were increased in OLP compared with NOM (p=0.0004). The proportions of cells expressing the γδ TCR in NOM and OLP were 10% and 9.3%, respectively, suggesting there is no selective recruitment from the circulation of either αβ or γδ TCR-bearing cells into normal oral epithelium or that affected by OLP The role. if any, of γδ T cells in the pathogenesis of OLP remains to be determined. |
| |
Keywords: | γδ cells image analysis immunocytochemistry lichen planus oral T cell receptor |
|
|