Abstract: Objective To apply autoimplantation technique in the treatment of verruca plana, and to investigate the mechanisms of it. Methods The changes of T cell subsets and IL-2 level in the peripheral blood of the patients with verruca plana, in conjunction with histopathological and immunohistochemical features of verruca plana tissue at reactive stage were studied by APAAP and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The tissue specimens were studied by H.E stain and immunohistochemical techniques. Results Significantly decreased CD4⁺ cell numbers, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and IL-2 level were found before treatment, compared with those in healthy controls (P<0.01). However, these indicators were shown significantly increased after treatment, compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), and there were no significant differences from the controls (P>0.05). Lymphocytic infiltration, epidermal edema and dissolution were shown in the histopathological study. There were CD45RO⁺, CD6⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells in the lymphocytic infiltration, but no CD20⁺ and Mac387^- cells. Langerhans cells with positive S-100 protein were observed in basal layer of the epidermis and reaction area. Conclusions T cell-mediated immune responses could be improved in autoimplantation, the warts are rejected mainly by of CD8⁺ subset cytotoxicity.

Key words: Warts, Embedding therapy, T-lymphocytes, Interleukin-2, Pathology, clinical