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Changes in Lymphocyte and Langerhans Cell Populations in Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Author(s) -
Marks James G.,
Zaino Richard J.,
Bressler Mark F.,
Williams Judith V.
Publication year - 1987
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.1365-4362.1987.tb00558.x
Subject(s) - dermis , epidermis (zoology) , contact dermatitis , langerhans cell , allergic contact dermatitis , irritant contact dermatitis , medicine , immunology , pathology , immunohistochemistry , lymphocyte , antigen , dermatology , allergy , anatomy
We observed in situ changes in lymphocyte sub‐populations and Langerhans cells during allergic and irritant contact dermatitis using immunohistochemical staining methods with monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens. In both types of contact dermatitis, there was a perivascular infiltrate of T lymphocytes, with helper/inducer T cells predominating. B cells were absent, and natural killer cells were absent or sparse. During the course of allergic contact dermatitis, Langerhans cells showed a striking sequential change in location, with the cells first in the epidermis, then perivascularly in the dermis (days 1–14), and returning to the epidermis (days 14–21). In irritant contact dermatitis, the Langerhans cells were initially identified in the epidermis and then appeared diffusely in the dermis (days 1–2). The numbers in the dermis then decreased abruptly (day 4). They were again identified in normal numbers in the epidermis (day 21). The response of Langerhans cells appears to be different between allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.