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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in addition to its transforming properties, contributes to the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated its involvement in oral lichen planus (OLP), a common autoimmune-like disease of unknown etiopathogenesis that can display a malignant potential. EBV-infected cells (EBV+ cells) were sought in a large series of clinically representative OLPs ( n = 99) through in situ hybridization to detect small noncoding EBV-encoded RNAs. Overall, our results demonstrated that EBV was commonly found in OLP (74%), with significantly higher frequency (83%) in the erosive form than in the reticular/keratinized type mild form (58%). Strikingly, many erosive OLPs were massively infiltrated by large numbers of EBV+ cells, which could represent a large part of the inflammatory infiltrate. Moreover, the number of EBV+ cells in each OLP section significantly correlated with local inflammatory parameters (OLP activity, infiltrate depth, infiltrate density), suggesting a direct relationship between EBV infection and inflammatory status. Finally, we characterized the nature of the infiltrated EBV+ cells by performing detailed immunohistochemistry profiles ( n = 21). Surprisingly, nearly all EBV+ cells detected in OLP lesions were CD138+ plasma cells (PCs) and more rarely CD20+ B cells. The presence of EBV+ PCs in erosive OLP was associated with profound changes in cytokine expression profile; notably, the expression of key inflammatory factors, such as IL1-β and IL8, were specifically increased in OLP heavily infiltrated with EBV+ PCs. Moreover, electron microscopy-based experiments showed that EBV+ PCs actively produced EBV viral particles, suggesting possible amplification of EBV infection within the lesion. Our study thus brings conclusive evidence showing that OLP is commonly infiltrated with EBV+ PCs, adding a further puzzling element to OLP pathogenesis, given that PCs are now considered to be major regulatory immune cells involved in several autoimmune diseases (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02276573).
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
June 2022,
Annals of dermatology,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
January 2021,
The Pan African medical journal,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
May 2009,
Annales de dermatologie et de venereologie,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
January 2018,
Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
July 1990,
Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
January 2015,
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H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
October 1994,
The Journal of dermatology,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
February 1981,
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H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
September 2018,
Medicina oral, patologia oral y cirugia bucal,
H Raybaud, and
C V Olivieri, and
L Lupi-Pegurier, and
S Pagnotta, and
R Marsault, and
N Cardot-Leccia, and
A Doglio
June 2023,
Annales de dermatologie et de venereologie,
