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Differential expression of Langerhans cells in the epidermis of patients with leprosy
Author(s) -
GIMENEZ M.F.,
GIGLI IRMA,
TAUSK F.A.
Publication year - 1989
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.1365-2133.1989.tb01395.x
Subject(s) - leprosy , medicine , langerhans cell , epidermis (zoology) , biopsy , tuberculoid leprosy , skin biopsy , population , lepromatous leprosy , pathology , antigen , immunology , environmental health , anatomy
SUMMARY Eighteen patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL) showed a significant reduction ( P < 0.001) of Langerhans cells (LC) irrespective of whether the biopsies were obtained from involved (398±186) or healthy skin (304±98). The cells showed morphological changes consisting mainly of loss of dendritic processes. Twenty‐four controls (age, sex and race matched) had a mean number of LC of 632±138. In tuberculoid patients (TT) significant differences were observed, depending on the site of biopsy. Nine biopsies from involved skin had 993±206 LC, whereas 11 from healthy skin had 448±96 ( P < 0.001). This difference was confirmed in six additional borderline tuberculoid (BT) and TT patients in whom biopsies were simultaneouslyy obtained from involved (973±179) and uninvolved skin (498±99). In 10 patients with indeterminate leprosy the LC density did not differ from the control population (630±261). The expression of LC numbers in BT and TT patients may represent migration of these cells from healthy skin to involved areas or mobilization of a central pool. The low density found in LL patients could interfere with adequate presentation of mycobacterial antigens leading to tolerance. Alternatively the presence of T helper cells in TT infiltrates may produce factors that recruit LC; their absence in LL lesions may account for the decrease in LC expression.