Background and Aim: Lichen planus is an inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Stimulation of T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells, mediates apoptosis of keratinocytes and basement membrane destruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of one of the immune cell markers (CD86) in erosive oral lichen planus. Materials and Methods: In this paired analytical cross-sectional study, 22 patients with erosive oral lichen planus were included. Biopsies from oral lesions of these patients were obtained. The surrounding normal marginal mucosa around these lesions served as controls. To visualize CD86-expressing cells, immunohistochemistry (IHC) processes were used. Data were transferred to SPSS 11. 0 software and were analyzed using marginal homogeneity test. Results: This study showed an increased number of CD86-expressing cells in erosive lichen planus lesions, while in normal mucosa, no cells were found to express CD86. Marginal homogeneity test revealed that the difference in positivity and negativity between the groups was significant (P<0. 001). Conclusion: A high expression of CD86 in erosive lichen planus lesions shows an increased activation of APCs, while these cells are inactive in normal mucosa.

Introduction. CD86 is a costimulatory molecule that participates in the regulation of T-cell lymphocytes activation. Thus, we examined a genetic marker on theCD86 gene in kidney transplant outcome.Materials and Methods. In our retrospective study, 168 kidney allograft recipients were genotyped by direct sequencing. Patients were classified into 2 groups of 29 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical haplotype allograft recipients and 139 recipients showing one or more mismatches in the HLA haplotype. Forty-five patients (26.8%) developed at least 1 acute rejection (AR) episode, 7 in the first and 38 in the second group.Results. Acute rejection was associated with the presence anti-HLA antibodies before transplantation (P=.03). The AA genotype and A allele at position+1057 in theCD86 gene were more frequent in patients without AR (9.75% and 28.5%, respectively) compared with those showing an AR (2.22% and 23.3%, respectively). This difference was statistically significant in the anti-HLA-positive recipients, as AA frequency was 31.3% in non-AR patients and zero in AR ones (P=.04) and A allele frequency was 46.9% and 20.8%, respectively (P=.04). Patients bearing AA genotype reached a higher graft survival time (9.84 years) than those carrying GA (8.21 years, P=.32) or GG (7.61 years, P=.72) genotypes.Conclusion. These results suggest that AA genotype and A allele ofCD86+1057G>A polymorphism may confer a protection against acute kidney allograft rejection in Tunisian patients.

Background: The major immuno-modulating effects of Ganoderma lucidum include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD40 and CD80 by G. lucidum-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Methods: Monocytes were isolated and incubated at 37oC and 5% CO2 for 24 h and 48 h in the presence or absence of different concentrations of G. lucidum. Cells were then incubated with labelled monoclonal antibodies against CD14, CD40 and B7-1(CD80) molecules utilizing standard protocols, and analyzed by flow cytometry.Results: The results showed that incubation of monocytes with G. lucidum led to marked enhancement of CD40 and B7-1 expression in a doseand time- dependent manner (p<0.001). G. lucidum was more effective in enhancing the expression of CD80 and CD40 molecules of cells obtained from females than male donors (p<0.001).Conclusion: G. lucidum enhanced the expression of CD40 and CD80 molecules on peripheral blood monocytic cells derived from both sexes in a dosedependent manner, with a preferential higher effect on cells obtained from female donors.