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The Role of Langerhans Cells and Keratinocytes in Epidermal Immunity
Author(s) -
Lee Choi Ken,
Sauder Daniel N.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.39.3.343
Subject(s) - biology , epidermis (zoology) , immunology , langerhans cell , population , microbiology and biotechnology , keratinocyte , cytokine , antigen , cell culture , anatomy , medicine , genetics , environmental health
The immunology of the epidermis has received considerable study over recent years. After the antigen‐presenting capacity of epidermal Langerhans cells was confirmed, subsequent studies suggested that keratinocytes could modulate certain immunologic events through production of a cytokine, epidermal cell‐derived thymocyte‐activating factor (ETAF). Most recently, a murine epidermal cell population, the dendritic Thy‐1‐positive cell, has been shown to possess natural killer‐cell‐like activity. In this review, the biology of these cell types are discussed. A discussion of allergic contact hypersensitivity and its alteration by ultraviolet light is used to illustrate some of the complex control mechanisms that continue to be the subject of ongoing study.