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Human epidermal Langerhans cells express the tight junction protein claudin‐1 and are present in human genetic claudin‐1 deficiency (NISCH syndrome)
Author(s) -
Zimmerli Simone C.,
Kerl Katrin,
HadjRabia Smail,
Hohl Daniel,
Hauser Conrad
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2007.00624.x
Subject(s) - epidermis (zoology) , langerhans cell , claudin , biology , pathology , tight junction , human skin , cd1 , immunofluorescence , antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen , immunology , medicine , anatomy , cd8 , genetics , interleukin 21
Claudin‐1 (CLDN1) is a structural tight junction (TJ) protein and is expressed in differentiating keratinocytes and Langerhans cells in the epidermis. Our objective was to identify immunoreactive CLDN1 in human epidermal Langerhans cells and to examine the pattern of epidermal Langerhans cells in genetic human CLDN1 deficiency [neonatal ichthyosis, sclerosing cholangitis (NISCH) syndrome]. Epidermal cells from healthy human skin labelled with CLDN1‐specific antibodies were analysed by confocal laser immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Skin biopsy sections of two patients with NISCH syndrome were stained with an antibody to CD1a expressed on epidermal Langerhans cells. Epidermal Langerhans cells and a subpopulation of keratinocytes from healthy skin were positive for CLDN1. The gross number and distribution of epidermal Langerhans cells of two patients with molecularly confirmed NISCH syndrome, however, was not grossly altered. Therefore, CLDN1 is unlikely to play a critical role in migration of Langerhans cells (or their precursors) to the epidermis or their positioning within the epidermis. Our findings do not exclude a role of this TJ molecule once Langerhans cells have left the epidermis for draining lymph nodes.