[The immune pathogenesis of lichen planus].

Lichen planus (L.P.) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology which also affects oral mucous membranes with high frequency. Oral lesions can occur even in the absence of skin manifestations in 25-35% of the cases. A considerable number of recent publications strongly favor an immune pathogenesis although the particular aspects of reported studies varies. Immunological pictures of humoral and cellular immunity have been implicated as possible pathogenic mechanisms and are critically reviewed in the present study.