HSP90 Complex From OLP Lesion Induces T‐Cell Polarization via Activation of Dendritic Cells

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the effects of the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) complex from oral lichen planus (OLP) lesion tissues on dendritic cell (DC) activation and the polarization of naïve T cells. Methods Expression of HSP90 in OLP lesions and healthy control (HC) mucosa was evaluated by single‐cell RNA sequence, IHC, qRT‐PCR, and immunoblotting. HSP90 complex was extracted by immunoprecipitation from oral mucosa as the agonist of DCs. Expression of IFN‐α and MHC was detected by flow cytometry. After cocultured with pre‐stimulated DCs, polarization of naïve T cells was investigated by cytokine analysis. Results HSP90 was significantly higher in the lamina propria of OLP lesion and closely related to lymphocyte infiltration. HSP90 complex of OLP lesion activated DCs via TLR9 and increased their IFN‐α secretion and MHC II expression. Pre‐stimulated DCs increased the proportion of Th17 cells. Conclusions HSP90 complex isolated from OLP lesion activated TLR9/IFN‐α of DCs and further promoted the polarization of naïve T cells toward Th17 immunity.