Summary
Papular lichen planus lesions from 12 patients were studied by a double-step immunocyto-chemical method to detect T-lymphocytes. Semithin sections were studied by light microscopy and ultrathin sections examined by electron microscopy. In the dermal infiltrate, many T-lymphocytes appeared closely juxtaposed to macrophages or Langerhans cells, frequently arranged in a rosette-like pattern. In the epidermis, T-lymphocytes were juxtaposed to macrophages or Langerhans cells and to degenerated keratinocytes. The close relationship between T-lymphocytes, macrophages or Langerhans cells and degenerated keratinocytes supports the hypothesis that lichen planus is immunological in nature: T-lymphocytes, after interacting with macrophages or Langerhans cells, become cytotoxic for keratinocytes.
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Supported in part by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Roma, Italia, grant no 790181604
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Giannotti, B., De Panfilis, G., Manara, G.C. et al. Macrophage — T-lymphocyte interaction in lichen planus. Arch Dermatol Res 275, 35–40 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00516552
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00516552