B Cells Infiltration Potentially Responded Better to Systemic Corticoids in Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesions

• Published in: Inflammation
• Main Authors: Feng, Ming-Hua, Lai, Yi-Rao, Deng, Yi-Wen, Li, Xi-Ye, Pan, Lei, Tian, Zhen, Tang, Guo-Yao, Wang, Yu-Feng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 09.08.2024
• Subjects: Corticoids; Oral lichen planus; Single-cell sequencing; Oral lichenoid lesion; B lymphocytes
• ISSN: 0360-3997; 1573-2576; 1573-2576
• DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02112-4

Oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesion (OLL) are chronic inflammatory diseases involving the oral mucosa. B cells infiltration in OLP and OLL, however, little is known about these cells in OLP and OLL. To analyze the function and infiltrating features of B lymphocytes in OLP and OLL, and to preliminarily evaluate their correlation with clinical outcomes. Tissue samples were collected from OLP, OLL, and healthy mucosa. The phenotypes and amounts of B cells in tissues were analyzed by single-cell sequencing. Their proportion and infiltrating features in tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. With the systemic medication of corticoids, the correlation between B cells infiltrating characteristics and the clinical outcomes were evaluated. A quantified proportion increase of B cells was shown in both OLP and OLL. B cells in OLP demonstrated heightened activation and enhanced regulation in immune response. A cohort of 100 patients with OLP/OLL and 13 healthy controls were examined to investigate the B cells infiltration pattern. B cells were distributed in the superficial layer of lamina propria in 92.9% and 41.9% of OLP and OLL, respectively(P < 0.01); focally distributed in 25.0% and 62.9% of OLP and OLL, respectively(P < 0.01). With the systemic medication of corticoids, the cases with B cell infiltration (B ) in OLP and OLL groups showed a statistically significant reduction in REU scores before and after treatment (P < 0.01). B cells are widely present in OLP and OLL, and B cell infiltration in OLP and OLL are related to the better therapeutic effect of oral corticoids.