Macrophages in oral lichen planus

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Abstract
The presence and distribution of macrophages within 15 non-ulcerated lesions of oral lichen planus was investigated using an immunoperoxidase technique for the detection of the macrophage markers lysozyme and α1 antitrypsin. All specimens contained mononuclear lysozyme and α1 antitrypsin positive cells which were concentrated in a band immediately beneath the epithelium and often associated with areas of damaged basal cells. Cell counts revealed that 11% of the positive cells were in the epithelium and 89% in the lamina propria. Approximately 61% of all positive cells were found within a 125 μm wide zone centred on the basement membrane. These results suggest that in oral lichen planus macrophages are in close proximity to the epithelial basal cells, where cell damage occurs, and play a role in the pathogenesis of his condition.

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