T‐cell infiltrate in Lichen Planus. Demonstration of activated lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies

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Abstract
Double layer immunocytochemical procedures were performed on fresh frozen serial sections of lichen planus (LP), using three monoclonal antibodies: OKT3 (T-cells) and two anti Ia-like antigens, monoclonal antibodies. Lymphocytes in dermal LP infiltrates were OKT3 positive and Ia-like positive; lymphocytes in the paracortical area of human normal lymph-node were OKT3 positive and Ia-like negative. Unstimulated peripheral blood-OKT3 positive, E-rosette forming cells of normal donors were Ia-like negative, while the same T-cells, when mitogen-stimulated, became Ia-like positive. Therefore, in dermal infiltrates of LP, T-lymphocytes are Ia-like positive cells, representing an antigen-stimulated T-cell population. The in situ presence of activated T-lymphocytes seems to support the hypothesis of an immunological nature of LP.