Fig. 4

a Photomicrograph of OLP specimen at base line showing nuclear and cytoplasmic immunopositivity of some of the epithelial cells (black arrow) while other cells exhibited cytoplasmic immunopositivity and immunonegative nuclei (blue arrow). The connective tissue cells were found to be more frequently immune negative (green arrow). (caspase 3 × 40). b Photomicrograph of OLP specimen at base line showing dead keratinocytes (civatte bodies) (yellow arrow), vacuoles in the basal cell layer (blue arrow). The epithelial connective tissue junction obscured by lymphocytes (black arrow). (H&E ×40). c Photomicrograph of OLP specimen after treatment with tacrolimus patch, showing epithelial cells with cytoplasmic immunopositivity (black arrow), while the majority of epithelial cells nuclei were immunonegative (blue arrow). Some connective tissue cells were immunopostive (green arrow). (Group I) (caspase 3 × 20). d Photomicrograph of one of the OLP specimens after treatment with tacrolimus patch, showing hyperplastic epithelium. Note the bland appearance of the hyperplastic epithelium. Group I (H&E ×40). e Photomicrograph of OLP specimen after treatment with tacrolimus gel, exhibiting mild nuclear and cytoplasmic immunopositivity in some of the epithelial cells (black arrow) and most of the connective tissue cells (green arrow). (Group II) (caspase 3 × 20). f Photomicrograph of OLP specimen after treatment with tacrolimus gel showing relatively scant lymphocytes (yellow arrow), evident epithelial-connective tissue junction (black arrow). Group II (H&E ×20). g Photomicrograph of OLP specimen at base line showing nuclear and cytoplasmic immunopositivity of the epithelial cells (black arrow). Most of the connective tissue demonstrated immunopostive reaction (green arrow). (caspase 3 × 20) (Group III). h Photomicrograph of OLP specimen after treatment showing few lymphocytes, evident epithelial-connective tissue junction notes some basal epithelial cells exhibiting vacuolation (blue arrow). Group III (H&E ×20)