ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Langerhan's Cells (LCs) are dendritic cells of the oral epithelium which play a role in a series of oral lesions from gingivitis to oral cancer. Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is an oral mucosal T-lymphocyte mediated immunologic reaction to an unidentified putative antigen or allergen. AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify the presence of immature LCs in OLP comparing them with normal epithelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study using 30 of OLP cases were conducted. Immunohistochemistry was performed using polyclonal anti-CD1a antibodies to identify LCs in 10 cases of normal tissue and 30 samples of OLP. The distribution of LCs among lesional tissue and normal mucosa was analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: LC population in OLP was significantly higher when compared to the normal epithelium (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The increase in LCs indicates the active role played during the antigen detection in OLP and subsequent presentation to T-lymphocytes.
