OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated mast cell degranulation in oral
lichen planus (OLP) and the effect of OLP lesional T cell supernatants on m
ast cell degranulation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to identify mast cell
degranulation in both OLP (n = 22) and normal control (n = 14) tissues. OLP
lesional T cell lines (n = 5) and HMC-I (a human leukemia mast cell line)
were used to examine the effects of OLP T cell supernatants on mast cell de
granulation in vitro.
RESULTS: Approximately 60% of mast cells were degranulated in OLP. OLP lesi
onal T cells expressed mRNA for RANTES, and TNF-alpha stimulation upregulat
ed OLP lesional T cell RANTES secretion. OLP lesional T cell supernatants i
nduced degranulation of HMC-I with release of TNF-alpha and histamine. Huma
n recombinant RANTES similarly induced mast cell degranulation. Anti-RANTES
antibody blocked OLP lesional T cell supernatant-induced mast cell degranu
lation.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show that OLP lesional T cells prod
uce and secrete RANTES which triggers human mast cell degranulation. Degran
ulating mast cells release TNF-alpha which upregulates OLP lesional T cell
RANTES secretion. Such a cyclical mechanism may underlie disease chronicity
and future therapies may include blocking RANTES or TNF-alpha activity in
OLP.