Abstract:

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the features of mast cell subtypes and relationship between mast cells and pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.Methods:Mast cells in the tissue of oral lichen planuswere stainedwithAlcian blue /safranine in order to demonstrate mature and immature mast cells, and the constituent ratio of these two subtypes was calculated. After- wards, LUZEX-F image pattern analysis system was applied to demonstrate the size of these two subtypes and their morphological features.Results:The constituent ratio of mature and immature types of mast cells in the tissue of oral lichen planus was signifi- cantly different from that in the normal tissue (P<0101), and such difference was also demonstrated among different types of this malady, including papule-, net- and erosion-type of oral lichen planus (P<0105). There was significant difference between the sizes of mature and immature mast cells (P<0101) and also the sizes, amount and distribution of the plasma granules within these two mast cells.Conclusion:It could be implied that mast cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.

Key words: oral lichen planus, mast cell, image analysis