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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: B lymphocytes; Corticoids; Oral lichen planus; Oral lichenoid lesion; Single-cell sequencing.