Subset of cd8+ and foxp3 + t cells in lichen planus associated with chronic hepatitis c infection

Abstract

Objective

To verify whether there are differences between populations of CD8+ and FoxP3+ T cells in lesions of oral lichen planus associated with hepatitis C virus chronic infection (OLP‐HCV) and lesions of idiopathic oral lichen planus (OLP‐I).

Materials & Methods

A case‐control study was performed using a convenience sample of 11 paraffin‐embedded tissue blocks of OLP‐HCV and 19 of OLP‐I. Histological sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin were used to classify the intensity of inflammatory infiltrate. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify CD8+ and FoxP3+ T cells. The count of positive cells was compared between the two groups and correlated to clinical and demographic data (P < 0.05).

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of CD8+ and FoxP3+ T cells regarding the inflammatory infiltrate in lesions of OLP‐HCV and OLP‐I. Atrophic/erosive lesions showed a higher relationship between counts of CD8/FoxP3 T cells per mm² (P = 0.018) and counts of CD8+ T cells per mm² (p = 0.034) in OLP‐HCV group compared to OLP‐I group.

Conclusion

Overall, no difference was found between cell populations in the lesions of OLP‐HCV and OLP‐I. However, atrophic/erosive lesions of OLP‐HCV had a higher amount of CD8+ T cells and lower FoxP3 expression.

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