Basic and interleukin-2-augmented natural killer cell activity in lichen planus.

Natural killer cell (NK) activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes against K 562 cells was investigated in lichen planus (LP). 38 LP patients with cutaneous or oral mucosal involvement and 20 healthy controls participated in the study. A statistically significant decrease in the NK response in LP patients with extensive erosive oral mucosal involvement (p less than 0.02) and in generalized acute eruptive LP (p less than 0.01) was noted compared to those with nonerosive LP of the oral mucosa or healthy controls. Interleukin 2 failed to restore completely the reduced NK activities in our patients with LP.