Jing-Ya Yang1, Fang Wang1,2, Gang Zhou1,2. 1. The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. 2. Department of Oral Medicine, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with uncertain aetiology. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and γδT cells are unconventional, innate-like T cells with immunoregulatory capacity. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of MAIT and γδT cells on the pathogenesis of OLP. METHODS: Circulating MAIT cells and γδT cells were identified using flow cytometry. Surface proteins including CD4, CD8, CD69, CD103, CD49d, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 were assessed. Cytokines containing interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, granzyme B and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α released by MAIT and γδT cells were measured following PMA and ionomycin stimulation. RESULTS: Circulating MAIT and γδT cells were deficient in OLP. The percentage of CD4+ , CD69+ , CD103+ and PD-1+ MAIT cells was increased in OLP, while that of CD8+ and CD49d+ MAIT cells was decreased. The percentage of CD103+ , PD-1+ and PD-L1+ γδT cells was upregulated in OLP. Both the MAIT and γδT cells in OLP produced less IL-4 than controls. The granzyme B-producing MAIT cells were increased, while γδT cells secreting granzyme B and TNF-α were reduced in OLP. IL-17 and IFN-γ in OLP MAIT and γδT cells were not significantly different from that in controls. The frequency of OLP MAIT cells and the MAIT/γδT rate were positively associated with the disease severity. CONCLUSION: The deficient MAIT and γδT cells expressing functional proteins and releasing cytokines may play an immunoregulatory role in the pathogenesis of OLP.
BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with uncertain aetiology. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and γδT cells are unconventional, innate-like T cells with immunoregulatory capacity. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of MAIT and γδT cells on the pathogenesis of OLP. METHODS: Circulating MAIT cells and γδT cells were identified using flow cytometry. Surface proteins including CD4, CD8, CD69, CD103, CD49d, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 were assessed. Cytokines containing interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, granzyme B and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α released by MAIT and γδT cells were measured following PMA and ionomycin stimulation. RESULTS: Circulating MAIT and γδT cells were deficient in OLP. The percentage of CD4+ , CD69+ , CD103+ and PD-1+ MAIT cells was increased in OLP, while that of CD8+ and CD49d+ MAIT cells was decreased. The percentage of CD103+ , PD-1+ and PD-L1+ γδT cells was upregulated in OLP. Both the MAIT and γδT cells in OLP produced less IL-4 than controls. The granzyme B-producing MAIT cells were increased, while γδT cells secreting granzyme B and TNF-α were reduced in OLP. IL-17 and IFN-γ in OLP MAIT and γδT cells were not significantly different from that in controls. The frequency of OLP MAIT cells and the MAIT/γδT rate were positively associated with the disease severity. CONCLUSION: The deficient MAIT and γδT cells expressing functional proteins and releasing cytokines may play an immunoregulatory role in the pathogenesis of OLP.