Study of Langerhans cells and T lymphocytes in vulvar lichen sclerosus lesions

Abstract

Background:The aetiology and pathogenesis of vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS), a chronic inflammatory disease, is not completely clear. It has been found that local cellular immune abnormalities play an important role in the immune mechanism of LS, mainly characterised by abnormal numbers of Langerhans cells in the epidermis and abnormal numbers of dermal T lymphocytes.Objective: To evaluate the densities of Langerhans cells and T-lymphocyte subpopulations in vulvar LS. Methods:The density of Langerhans cells in the epidermis, and CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the dermis of seven early-stage and eight late-stage cases of vulvar LS were detected with direct immunofluorescence, and compared with 15 normal controls. Results:The density of Langerhans cells in the latestage group was significantly higher than in the normal group (P = 0.001). The densities of CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes in both the early-and latestage (deeper dermis) groups were higher than in the normal group (P < 0.05). The ratio of CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocytes in the early-stage and normal groups showed no significant difference (P = 0.151), while the late-stage (deeper dermis) groups decreased significantly compared with early-stage, late-stage (upper dermis) and normal groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion:The densities of Langerhans cells, CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, and the ratio of CD4 + / CD8 + T lymphocytes were different in different stages of LS, which supports the important role of cellular immunity in mechanisms of LS.

Immunohistological Analysis of Lichen Sclerosus of the Foreskin in Pediatric Age: Could It Be Considered A Premalignant Lesion?

“…CD8-expressing cells are a lymphocyte subpopulation with mayor histocompatibility complex class I-restricted T-cells and are mediators of adaptive immunity [31]. CD8-positive cell-mediated cytotoxic immune responses seems to play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of LS, and this population grows rapidly during the progression of LS [32]. Furthermore, local signaling may promote CD8 positive T cells to play a pathogenic role in SCC, promoting cancer proliferation [33].…”

Fat Grafting in Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Long Term Follow-Up

“…The main histological characteristics of VLS include hyperkeratosis, hyalinization of the upper dermis, “band-like” dermal inflammatory infiltrate, decrease of vessel density, and reduction in elastic fibers in the superficial dermis 3 . A reduction in estrogen receptor expression and an increase in CD8+ T cells are further markers of VLS 4,5 …”