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Cytochemical and Ultrastructural Studies of the Langerhans' cells
Author(s) -
Bian Zhao,
BingHe Wang
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1985.tb05718.x
Subject(s) - epidermis (zoology) , langerhans cell , ultrastructure , microbiology and biotechnology , electron microscope , biology , medicine , immunology , biophysics , pathology , anatomy , antigen , physics , optics
In the guinea pig, experimental allergic contact dermatis (ACD) and primary irritant contact dermatitis (PICD) were induced with different concentrations of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The epidermal Langerhans' cells (LCs) were observed sequentially by both adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and electron microscopy. Light mircroscopically, in ACD, the density and dendritic processses of LC decreased markedly withih 12 h after antigen challenge. Almost no recognization LCs could be seen within 2 to 5 days. Later, LCs began to repopulate in the epidermis. Within 14 days, the density and shape of the LCs returned to normal. On the contrary, Lcs changed more rapidly in PICD. The dendritic processes of LC decreased within 2 h and cell density decreased dramatically within 6 h after DNCB application. LCs also repopulated more rapidly in the epidermis. Electron microscopically, in ACD, we observed that lymphocyte‐like cells apposed to Lcs; LCs were activated and damged; however, in PICD we found neither the apposition of lymphocyte‐like cells to LCs, nor the activation of Lcs. LCs play an important role in the convalescence phase as well as in the early and later phases of contact allergic reaction.