Research Status on T-cell Phenotypes and Immunopathological Heterogeneity in Oral Lichen Planus

doi:10.12337/zgkqjxjyzz.2025.06.002

Chinese Journal of Stomatological Continuing Education ›› 2025, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (6): 384-392.DOI: 10.12337/zgkqjxjyzz.2025.06.002

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Research Status on T-cell Phenotypes and Immunopathological Heterogeneity in Oral Lichen Planus

Qizhan Sun, Yufeng Wang^*

Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology

Online:2025-11-30 Published:2025-11-30
Contact: Yufeng Wang. Tel: 021-23271699. Email: wangyf1701@sh9hospital.org.cn. Address: No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.
Supported by:
National Natural Science Foundation of China（No.82270976）,Project of Biobank(YBK202503)Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Abstract

Abstract: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder of the oral mucosa. This review delineates the immunopathological mechanisms underlying OLP, focusing on the core pathway that progresses from an imbalance in CD4⁺ T-cell subsets to CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated tissue injury, a process further corroborated by pharmacological evidence. Studies have revealed heterogeneous infiltration patterns of CD4⁺ T-cell subsets (e.g., Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg) within the lesions of OLP patients, which closely correlate with clinical presentation and disease severity. Consequently, precise immunophenotyping of CD4⁺ T-cell infiltration holds promise for informing future individualized therapeutic strategies for OLP.

Key words: oral lichen planus, helper t cells, cytotoxic t cells, adaptive immunity, immune heterogeneity

Qizhan Sun, Yufeng Wang. Research Status on T-cell Phenotypes and Immunopathological Heterogeneity in Oral Lichen Planus[J]. Chinese Journal of Stomatological Continuing Education, 2025, 28(6): 384-392.

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Research Status on T-cell Phenotypes and Immunopathological Heterogeneity in Oral Lichen Planus

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