Immunopathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis by chewing the areca nut

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, progressive, scarring, and premalignant disease of the oral mucosa. Its pathogenic factors are complex and include chewing areca nuts or other spicy food items, nutrition, and genetic and immune factors. Recently, immune factors have become the focus of medical research, with increased attention being paid to the role of immune regulation in diseases, particularly tumors. OSF is accompanied by obvious changes in the immune microenvironment. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential relationship of OSF and areca nuts genetic with the immune system, including lymphocytes, macrophage, Langerhans cell, mast cell, and substances released by activated immune cells, to determine the pathogenesis and treatment of OSF from an immunologic viewpoint.

Automated summary

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, progressive, scarring, premalignant disease of the oral mucosa, with complex pathogenic factors including areca nut chewing, nutrition, genetics, and immune factors. Immune factors have recently become the focus of medical research on OSF, with attention on how they play a role in the disease's pathogenesis and treatment. OSF is characterized by significant changes in the immune microenvironment, prompting studies on the role of immune cells and substances in the disease.