Langerhans cells and their role in oral mucosal diseases.

Dendritic cells are arguably the most potent antigen-presenting cells and may be the only cells capable of initiating the adaptive immune response. The epithelial residents of dendritic cells are Langerhans cells, which serve as the "sentinels" of the mucosa, altering the immune system not only to pathogen entry but also of tolerance to self antigen and commensal microbes. Oral mucosal Langerhans cells are capable of engaging and internalizing a wide variety of pathogens and have been found responsive to nickel in patients with nickel allergies, oral Candida species, oral lichen planus, lichenoid drug eruptions, graft versus host diseases, periodontal diseases median rhomboid glossitis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, hairy leukoplakia of the tongue, and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

A comparative analysis of langerhans cell in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma using antibody CD-1a.

Background: The integrity of the immune system is necessary to control tumor progression and a compromised state contributes to tumor escape.

Aims: The study intends to evaluate the presence and distribution pattern of Langerhans cells (LC) in Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma and elucidate their role. The study analyses LC in histological zones of the epithelium and connective tissue, which has seldom been attempted previously.

Analysis of gonial angle in relation to age, gender, and dentition status by radiological and anthropometric methods.

Background: With development and function, the mandibular angle has shown changes in size and shape. A variation in mandibular angle with age, gender, and even the dental status has been observed, which is supported by radiographic and anthropometric studies.

Aims: The aim of this study were to evaluate relationship between complete loss of teeth and changes in the gonial angle; the study further intends to evaluate any variation in gonial angle with age and gender.

Reliability of toluidine blue vital staining in detection of potentially malignant oral lesions--time to reconsider.

Being simple and inexpensive toluidine blue has been in use for more than two decades for the detection of potentially malignant oral lesions (PMOL's) and malignant lesions. Although there has been concensus that staining often assists in the identification of these lesions, results have been diverse. In most studies false negative were not recorded as biopsies of lesions that did not retain toluidine blue were not performed.