Evolution of the lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus: a comparison with lichen planus.

The tissue processes leading to the development of the epidermal changes in the lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus have been studied. Typical lesions in fifteen patients have been examined using cell kinetic and immunofluorescence techniques. The results suggest that a very active repair mechanism is operative within the epidermis with heightened epidermopoiesis and epidermal cell migration. The findings have been contrasted with those of previous similar studies of lichen planus. It is suggested that a major difference between the gross and microscopic appearance in the two diseases may be partially on the basis of differing patterns of immunoprotein deposition.