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Studies on human epidermal Langerhans cells
Author(s) -
BRAATHEN LASSE R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1980.tb01666.x
Subject(s) - langerhans cell , pathology , epidermis (zoology) , medicine , dermatology , anatomy , immunology , antigen
SUMMARY Human epidermis from nickel sensitive patients was separated from dermis by means of a suction blister device and dissociated with trypsin. The epidermal cell suspensions obtained contained 3–5% Langerhans cells as judged by immunofluorescence staining of the cells with a rabbit anti‐DR anti‐serum. The epidermal cells were co‐cultured with purified autologous T lymphocytes with or without nickel sulphate. A strong proliferative T lymphocyte response to nickel sulphate was obtained provided epidermal cells were also present. Pretreatment of the epidermal cells with anti‐DR antiserum abolished or greatly reduced the response. These data indicate that epidermal cells are able to present nickel sulphate to T lymphocytes in an immunogenic way. Since the responsible cells were DR antigen positive, it is highly probable that the cells responsible for these functions are the Langerhans cells.