Lichen planus and lichenoid reactions as a systemic disease

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic disease that involves the skin, scalp, mucous membranes, and nails. The etiology of LP is still unknown; however, some external and internal factors (eg. drugs, stress, hepatitis C virus) have been suggested to trigger the disease. Many studies have investigated an immunologic pathogenesis that is probably related to T-cell autoimmunity with the keratinocyte as the target cell. Altered self-antigens on the surface of basal keratinocytes modified by viruses or by drugs are believed to be the targets of the T-cell response.
Source: Clinics in Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Source Type: research