ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of TGF-beta receptors in CD8+ T cells of oral lichen planus (OLP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical double labeling technique was used to examine the expression of TGF-betaR I and TGF-betaR II in CD8+ T cells of 28 OLP patients and in 10 controls. The results were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The double labeled cells were negative in controls. The positive rates of double labeled cells of CD8+/TGF-betaR I and CD8+/TGF-betaR II in OLP were (8.82 +/- 9.98)% and (1.11 +/- 2.94)% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression level of TGF-betaR II in CD8+ T cells of OLP did not increase compared with the controls, but the expression of TGF-betaR I increased. The results indicate the abnormal TGF-beta signal transduction in CD8+ T cells of OLP, which may contribute to the persistence of the chronic inflammation in OLP.</p>