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Studies on Human Epidermal Langerhans Cells
Author(s) -
BRAATHEN L. R.,
THORSBY E.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1980.tb00006.x
Subject(s) - epidermis (zoology) , langerhans cell , antiserum , dermis , antigen , suction blister , trypsin , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , chemistry , anatomy , biochemistry , enzyme
Human epidermis 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 antiserum. The epidermal cells were co‐cultured with purified allogeneic T cells and with autologous T cells with or without PPD of tuberculin. A strong T‐cell response to allogeneic epidermal cells was obtained, as was a strong T‐cell response to PPD, provided autologous epidermal cells were also present. Pre‐treatment of the epidermal cells with anti‐DR antiserum plus complement abolished both these responses. These data indicate that epidermal cells are able to substitute for macrophages both in the allo‐activating and in the antigen‐presenting function. Since the responsible cells were DR‐positive, it is highly probable that the cells responsible for these functions are the Langerhans cells.