ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the functional status of dendritic cells(DCs)in oral leukoplakia(OLK)tissues.Methods:The expression of DC-specific markers CD1 a,CD209,CD1 23 and CD83 in 20 cases of OLK with abnormal dysplasia,1 0 with simple dys-plasia and 1 0 of normal oral mucosa tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry.Results:CD1 a and CD209 positive DCs were found in all cases.More CD1 a positive Langehans cells(LCs)in lamina propria were found in OLK with abnormal dysplasia than in normal o-ral mucosa and OLK with simple dysplasia(P <0.01 ).A great mount of CD209 positive stromal DCs were recruited in OLK.There was no CD83 positive and CD1 23 positive cell in normal oral mucosa,however,CD83 positive mature DCs and CD1 23 positive plasmacytoid DCs(PDCs)were observed in OLK(P <0.01 ).Conclusion:OLK is characterized by the recruitment of different subsets of DCs,the different DC subsets may play an important role in the development of OLK.