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Langerhans' cell population in topical patch‐test and systemic flare‐up sites of nickel‐sensitive guinea pigs
Author(s) -
LAMMINTAUSTA K.,
JANSÉN C.T.,
KALIMO K.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2230.1986.tb00455.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , population , environmental health
Summary Guinea pigs were sensitized to nickel by using the maximization method of Magnusson and Kligman (1969), challenged by topical and systemic applications of the allergen, and the epidermal Langerhans' cell (LC) density studied with ATPase histochemistry. Similar LC counts were found in unchallenged skin of nickel‐sensitized and control animals (657 ± 151 vs. 671 ± 16 cells/mm 2 ). Topical patch‐test challenge with nickel sulphate lowered the LC count in both sensitized and control animals to some extent, but the changes were not statistically significant. In contrast, systemic (intraperitoneal) nickel sulphate challenge induced a statistically significant ( P <0–001) LC decrease in the previous topical test sites of sensitized guinea pigs, while no such decrease was evident in the corresponding skin sites of control animals. The method of nickel sensitization, topical challenge, and subsequent systemic challenge is a versatile experimental model for studying the pathology of the LC population in delayed‐type hypersensitivity skin reactions.