T Cell Subsets and Macrophages in Lichen planus

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Abstract
Skin lesions from 6 patients with lichen planus were studied for the presence of T cells and T cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Small numbers of Leu-2a-reactive suppressor-cytotoxic cells were present early in the basal cell layer in 2 patients with recent lesions. The analysis of T cell subsets revealed the predominance of anti-pan-T-cell (Leu-1) and Leu-3a-reactive helper-inducer cells in 4 patients with older active lichen planus lesions. Significant numbers of suppressor-cytotoxic cells were observed in the papillary dermis and within the epidermis associated with hydropic degeneration of the basal cell layer. Activated T lymphocytes with focal acid phosphatase activity, together with activated histiocytes-macrophages with strong diffuse activity of acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase, were identified in the dermis and within the epidermis. A cytotoxic immune process directed against the basal cell layer of the epidermis is the dominant pathogenic event in lichen planus.