New Progress of T Cells in Oral Lichen Planus

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic oral mucosal disease mediated by T cells, and its pathogenesis may include antigen-specific and non-specific. The etiology is unknown and the course of the disease is chronic and prolonged. The treatment has become a rather difficult clinical problem. There is no cure for OLP at present. Histologically, it is characterized by band-like infiltration of subepithelial T lymphocytes, rupture of the basement membrane, and liquefaction and degeneration of basal cells. Its etiology is not yet fully understood, its course is chronic, and its treatment has become a difficult clinical problem. Because of the malignant phenomenon of long-term erosion lesions, WHO lists it as a precancerous state. The main pathological changes of OLP are liquefaction and degeneration of basal cells and infiltration of subepithelial lymphocytes. The pathogenesis of OLP is not yet fully understood. OLP is an inflammatory disease mediated by T cells, which is related to autoimmune function. Various pathogenic factors lead to changes in the antigenicity of epithelial keratinocytes. The altered antigens are taken up by Langerhans cells and presented to T cells, these cells release and activate various cytokines to destroy the epithelium, and these cytokines activate T cells to initiate a series of immune responses, leading to the formation of OLP lesions. Studies have found that the pathogenesis of OLP is a process of immune damage mediated by T cells, which is related to the body's autoimmune function.