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Objective: To investigate the effects of exogenous interleukin (IL)-35 on the balance of helper T cell 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cell (Treg) in peripheral blood of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). Methods: Totally 12 peripheral blood samples of OLP patients (OLP group, one male and 11 female, 26-68 years old; four cases of reticular OLP and eight cases of erosive OLP) were collected from patients of Department of Oral Mucosal Specialist of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from October to December 2016. During the same period, thirteen normal peripheral blood samples were collected from the Physical Examination Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (normal control group, one male and 12 female, 20-68 years old). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were extracted in sterile condition and CD4+ T cells were sorted by flow cytometry (FCM). Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technique was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of retinoid-related orphan nuclear γt (RORγt) and forkhead box3 (Foxp3). The CD4+ T cells were divided into experimental group and control group. The CD4+ T cells of experimental group were cultured in vitro by adding rhIL-35, and the CD4+ T cells of control group were cultured with the same volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). After the completion of the culture, the cells were collected. The expression levels of the same factors were detected by qPCR. Results: The expression [ M ( Q (25), Q (75))] of Foxp3 [0.15 (0.09, 0.30)] and RORγt mRNA [1.04 (0.45, 2.15)] in the CD4+ T cells of OLP were significantly higher than those in normal control group [0.04 (0.02, 0.06), 0.10 (0.05, 0.11)] ( Z= -4.134, P <0.01; Z=- 3.699, P <0.01). The ratio of ROR γt/Foxp3 mRNA in OLP group [6.22(3.67, 15.34)] was higher than that in normal control group [2.50 (1.24, 5.23)] ( Z= -2.665, P= 0.007). In the CD4+ T cells of OLP patients, the expression of Foxp3 mRNA in the experiment group [0.40 (0.21, 1.22)] was higher than that in the control group [0.15 (0.11, 0.26)]( Z= -2.510, P= 0.012), and the expression of ROR γt mRNA between two groups showed no significant difference ( P >0.05). The ROR γt/Foxp3 mRNA ratio [3.44 (1.55, 8.16)] of the experiment group was lower than that in the control group [6.22 (4.43, 12.21)] ( Z= -2.746, P= 0.006). Conclusions: There was a Th17/Treg imbalance with predominated by Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of patients with OLP. Exogenous rhIL-35 had an immunomodulatory effect on the balance of Th17/Treg.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the ratio of T helper cell 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of oral lichen planus (OLP) and explore the pathogenesis of its possible role and significance., Methods: The peripheral blood samples were obtained from 33 patients with OLP (15 cases of reticular OLP and 18 cases of erosive OLP) and 17 healthy controls. The percentages of Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique was used to detect the expression levels of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt) and forkhead box 3 (Foxp3)., Results: The proportions of Th17, Treg cells, and their transcription factors (RORγt and Foxp3) in OLP were higher than those in the control groups (P<0.05). By contrast, in Treg cells and Foxp3, no significance was observed between erosive OLP and reticular OLP. Th17/Treg ratio increased in OLP. This ratio was significantly increased in erosive OLP compared with those in the control groups and reticular OLP (P<0.01). Nevertheless, no significance was noted between reticular OLP and control groups. Statistical analysis demonstrated positive correlations among Th17 cells, Th17/Treg, and clinical characteristics (r=0.66, P=0.00; r=0.66, P=0.00; r=0.52, P=0.00; r=0.50, P=0.00). Positive correlations also existed between Th17 and Treg cells (r=0.39, P=0.03)., Conclusions: Th17 cells, Treg cells, and their ratios all increased in the peripheral blood of OLP. Moreover, the imbalance inTh17/Treg may play a role in the pathogenesis of erosive OLP.

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a preliminary study on the possible role and significance of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-27 in the pathogeneses of oral lichen planus (OLP)., Methods: Thirty cases of patients with OLP (fifteen cases of reticular OLP and fifteen cases of erosive OLP) were enrolled in this study, and twenty cases of healthy people served as controls. Lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, and CD16+56 [natural killer cell (NK)] were tested using flow cytometry, and humoral immunity [immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, IgM, C3, C4] were examined using nephelometry assays. IL-12 and IL-27 contents in serum of patients with OLP and normal controls were detected through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlations between the levels of IL-12, IL-27, immune status, and clinical characteristics of patients with OLP were analyzed, respectively., Results: CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+in patients with OLP were markedly lower than the normal value, whereas CD 19+ of OLP in patients was significantly higher than the normal value (P<0.05). IgM inpatients with OLP was increased, whereas C4 was declined (P<0.05). IL-12 and IL-27 levels showed significant upregulation or ULF patients compared with control groups (P<0.05). Meanwhile, positive correlations existed between IL-12 andIL-27 levels in the serum of patients with OLP (r=0.912, P<0.01). No significant correlations of IL-12 and IL-27 epressions with clinical characteristics of OLP were found (P>0.05). Negative correlations of IL-12 and IL-27 levels with CD16+56(NK) cells were observed (r1 = -0.416, P1 = 0.022; r2 = -0.392, P2=0.032, respectively), whereas a positive correlation existed for IgG (r1=0.445, P1=0.014; n=0.549, P2=0.002, respectively)., Conclusion: A cellular immune dysfunction mainly dominate in patients with OLP, accompanied by some degree of humoral-immunity-function disorder. The abnormally high expressions of IL-12 and IL-27 are possibly synergized and promoted inflammation development in OLP. Its promotion takes place through the negatie feedback regulation of humoral immune responses, which are involved in the regulation of immune mechanisms of OLP.

Objective: To investigate the possible role and significance of soluble programmed death-1 (sPD-1)/soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP)., Methods: Thirty-six patients with OLP (20 cases of reticular OLP and 16 cases of erosive OLP) were enrolled in this study, and 18 healthy people served as controls. Lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD19⁺, CD16⁺ + 56⁺) were examined by flow cytometric analysis and humoral immunity indexes (IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4) tested by nephelometry immunoassay. The levels of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 proteins in serum of patients with OLP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlations between the level of sPD-1, sPD-L1 proteins and the immune status and clinical characteristics of patients with OLP were analyzed by SPSS 19.0., Results: CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD16⁺ + 56⁺ in patients with OLP were decreased compared with the normal value, while CD19⁺ in patients with OLP was increased compared with the normal value (P < 0.05). C3 and C4 in patients with OLP were decreased compared with the normal value, but IgM in patients with OLP was increased (P < 0.05). The levels of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 proteins in patients with OLP were significantly higher than that in control group [26.10(8.81, 40.00) ng/L vs 17.65(0.00, 26.10) ng/L, 29.53(21.47, 36.76) ng/L vs 22.79(1.19, 28.29) ng/L] (P < 0.05), but the expression of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 was not related with clinical characteristics of OLP. There were negative correlations between the levels of sPD-1 protein and CD4⁺ T cells or CD16⁺ + 56⁺ cells (r1 = -0.378, P1 = 0.007; r2 = -0.365, P2 = 0.009), while there was a positive correlation between the levels of sPD-1 and CD19⁺ B cells (r = 0.482, P = 0.000). There was a negative correlation between sPD-L1 expression level and CD4⁺ and a positive correlation between sPD-L1 expression level and IgG (r¹ = -0.286, P1 = 0.044; r² = 0.365, P₂= 0.029)., Conclusions: In patients with OLP, the cellular immune function is low with humoral immunity function disorder. PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway, which might be influenced by the involvement of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 proteins in a certain extent, may play an important role in the immune pathogenesis of OLP.

Objective: To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on Th1/Th2 cytokines in oral lichen planus., Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from OLP patients and healthy controls. PBMC from patients with OLP were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and dexamethasone respectively for 72 h. The concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in culture supernatants were determined by ELISA. The mRNA levels for IFN-gamma and IL-4 in culture cells were evaluated using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction., Results: Compared with healthy controls, the levels of IFN-gamma in OLP patients were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-4 were higher, but not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The ratios of IFN-gamma/IL-4 were lower in patients with OLP (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone significantly inhibited the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 (P < 0.01). Moreover, IFN-gamma was inhibited significantly more than IL-4. The levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA expression in culture cells were consistent with protein production in supernatants., Conclusions: Th2 immune response is predominant in OLP. Dexamethasone is an immunosuppressant inhibiting Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Objective: The aim of this study is to observe clinical effects of the millimeter wave on oral lichen planus (OLP) and its immune mechanisms., Methods: 30 patients with OLP were randomized into the millimeter wave group and the control group. 15 patients in the millimeter wave group were treated with millimeter wave (7.1 mm, 43 GHz, 10 mW/cm2) radiation, while the other 15 patients in the control group were just given soothing treatment. Either before or after the therapy procedure, the clinical manifestations and the T-cell sub-grouping in the peripheral circulation of each patient were double-blindly evaluated., Results: The pain-soothing effect in the patients treated with millimeter wave was much more obvious than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The peripheral blood CD8+ percent of millimeter wave group decreased greatly (P < 0.05), while no obvious CD8+ change was observed in the control group (P > 0.05). The millimeter wave group's CD4+/CD8+ improvement was also much more obvious than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and its CD4+/CD8+ ratio was completely recovered to the normal level., Conclusion: Millimeter wave can effectively relieve OLP patients' pain, and can regulate OLP patients' cellular immune condition. Millimeter wave might provide a new treatment method for OLP.

Objective: To explore the regulatory effect of Composite Taixian tablet (CTXT) on red blood cell (RBC) immune function in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) for the sake of providing the basis of clinical medication., Methods: Sixty patients with OLP were assigned randomly into three groups and were treated by CTXT, Tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet and polyactin-A tablet respectively. And the changes of RBC-C3b receptor and immune circulating rosette complex on the surface of erythrocytes (RBC-ICR) were measured by saccharomycetic assay., Results: Effect of CTXT was superior to that of Tripterygium hypoglaucum and polyactin-A tablets., Conclusion: CTXT is a relatively effective remedy with less side effect, it is worthy to be studied further.

Objective: To explore effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment on immune state of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP)., Methods: 30 cases of patients with OLP were treated by TCM and peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subgroup in these patients were determined., Results: CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD3 ratio of patients with OLP were decreased significantly, compared with that of health people (P < 0.01) before TCM treatment, while after TCM treatment CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD3 ratio were increased significantly (P < 0.01) and the latter recovered to normal, 8 patients recovered, 14 cases significantly improved, and 8 cases improved., Conclusion: TCM therapy is useful for the treatment of OLP. It acts biphasically a regulation effect on the immunologic balance of the patient.

In this article, the expression of HLA-DR in keratinocytes in lesions of oral lichen planus (OLP) was investigated, using an immunohistochemical technique (PAP method). The results showed: HLA-DR positive keratinocytes were found in all groups of patients, the numbers and expressive degree of HLA-DR were related to types and duration of OLP, there were higher statistically significant differences between different groups and types of OLP (P < 0.01). The authors considered that the expression of HLA-DR in keratinocytes plays an important role in gathering T cells and forming inflammation in OLP lesions.