Expression of Cluster of Differentiation 1a-Positive Langerhans Cells in Oral Lichen Planus.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Lichen planus is a T-cell-mediated mucocutaneous disorder characterized histopathologically by a band of chronic inflammatory cells in the subepithelial zone and degeneration of basal layer. The present study was aimed to evaluate the distribution and quantitative assessment of cluster of differentiation 1a (CD1a)-positive Langerhans cells (LCs) in oral lichen planus (OLP), thus to determine the role of LCs pertaining to the changes occurring in OLP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cases of normal oral mucosa and 20 cases of OLP were immunostained with CD1a antibody; the positive cells were counted manually in the photomicrographs and statistically analyzed using t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The average percentage of CD1a-positive LCs in normal subjects was 0.9%, and in the OLP cases higher percentage was observed (3.93%). The statistical comparison of these two parameters was significant (P=0.018). The degree of basal cell degeneration and density of subepithelial infiltrate on statistical comparison with the concentration of CD1a-positive LCs showed significant results. CONCLUSION: LCs play a pivotal role in the recruitment of CD4+ and CD8+ cells to the subepithelial region and basal keratinocytes apoptosis. A small number of study subjects, assessment of only CD1a molecule and LCs in the epidermis only were a few of the drawbacks of the study.

A clinical study on oral lichen planus with special emphasis on hyperpigmentation.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a unique disorder affecting generally the older age group. Numerous studies have been done on various aspects of OLP such as pathogenesis, rate of malignant transformation, etc. However, very few studies are available with respect to clinical features especially association of hyperpigmentation and OLP. This study aims at studying the clinical aspects of OLP and study the association between hyperpigmentation and OLP in a south Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients with OLP who attended the outpatient department of our institution were included in the study and a complete history, followed by thorough intraoral examination was done. All the data were recorded and assessed for statistical analysis using SPSS software. RESULTS: We found that the male to female ratio affected with OLP was 1:1 and the most common form of OLP that was seen was the reticular subtype. Also, buccal mucosa was the most common affected site and more than 60% patients had hyperpigmentation associated with the site affected by OLP. We found a statistically significant relation between the reticular type of OLP and the older age group (51-70 years) with hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: Although further studies are required to say anything conclusively, post-inflammatory changes occurring the mucosa due to OLP could be a cause for hyperpigmentation in the sites affected.

Osteopontin expression in reactive lesions of gingiva.

Reactive proliferations of the gingiva comprise lesions such as pyogenic granuloma (PG), inflammatory fibroepithelial hyperplasia (IFH), peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF), and peripheral giant cell lesion. Osteopontin (OPN) has a dual role, it promotes mineralization when it is bound to solid substrate, and on the other hand, it inhibits mineralization when it is seen in association with solution. Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the expression of osteopontin in normal gingival tissue and different types of focal reactive proliferations of gingival tissue, and its role in the development of calcification within it. Material and Methods The presence and distribution of osteopontin was assessed using immunohistochemistry in five cases of normal gingival tissue and 30 cases of focal reactive proliferations of gingiva. Results There was no expression of osteopontin in normal subjects. Few cases of pyogenic granuloma, inflammatory fibroepithelial hyperplasia, and all the cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma showed positivity for osteopontin in the inflammatory cells, stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and in the calcifications. Conclusion The expression of osteopontin in all the cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma speculates that the majority of the cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma originate from the periodontal ligament cells. The treatment modalities for peripheral ossifying fibroma should differ from other focal reactive proliferations of gingiva.

Osteopontin expression in reactive lesions of gingiva

Reactive proliferations of the gingiva comprise lesions such as pyogenic granuloma (PG), inflammatory fibroepithelial hyperplasia (IFH), peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF), and peripheral giant cell lesion. Osteopontin (OPN) has a dual role, it promotes mineralization when it is bound to solid substrate, and on the other hand, it inhibits mineralization when it is seen in association with solution. Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the expression of osteopontin in normal gingival tissue and different types of focal reactive proliferations of gingival tissue, and its role in the development of calcification within it. Material and Methods The presence and distribution of osteopontin was assessed using immunohistochemistry in five cases of normal gingival tissue and 30 cases of focal reactive proliferations of gingiva. Results There was no expression of osteopontin in normal subjects. Few cases of pyogenic granuloma, inflammatory fibroepithelial hyperplasia, and all the cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma showed positivity for osteopontin in the inflammatory cells, stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and in the calcifications. Conclusion The expression of osteopontin in all the cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma speculates that the majority of the cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma originate from the periodontal ligament cells. The treatment modalities for peripheral ossifying fibroma should differ from other focal reactive proliferations of gingiva. .