CLA and CD 62E expression in oral lichen planus lesions

Objective There are few reports on the migration of CLA + T cells through E‐selectin in cutaneous lichen planus, with only one study on oral lichen planus ( OLP ). This study aimed to analyze CLA expression and assess whether there is a correlation with E‐selectin ( CD 62E) in OLP lesions. Material and methods Biopsies were performed on 11 patients including two areas: one without clinical and histopathological features of OLP [perilesional group ( PLG )] and the other with clinical and histopathological features of OLP [ OLP group ( OLPG )]. The specimens obtained were divided into two: One was fixed in formalin for routine analysis (H&E), and the other was frozen for CD 3, CD 4, CD 8, CLA , and CD 62E immunofluorescence markers. Results More CD 4+ (median 1409, range 860–2519), CD 8+ (median 1568, range 654–3258), and CLA + T cells (median 958, range 453–2198) and higher CD 62E expression (median 37, range 27–85) were identified in OLPG ( P  =   0.003; P  =   0.003; P  =   0.004; P  =   0.003, respectively) than those in PLG . The median prevalence analysis was also significantly higher for CLA + CD 8+ T cells in OLPG ( OLPG  = 39.4%, range 18.4–64.2; PLG  = 29.4%, range 12.1–47.1) ( P  =   0.026). None of the correlations between CD 3+ or CLA + T cells and CD 62E in OLPG and in PLG were significant. Conclusion The significant presence of CLA + T cells and E‐selectin expressions in the OLPG suggests their involvement in the etiopathogenesis of OLP ; however, only a weak correlation between CLA + T cells and E‐selectin was observed.