ISSN:
1600-0536
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Previous studies in humans and guinea pigs indicate that Langerhans cells (LC) participate in elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis. The number and morphology of LC was determined in acute and healed allergic patch test sties, control (petrolatum) sites and normal skin in nickel-sensitive individuals using OKT6 monoclonal antibody and avidin-biotin/peroxidase labeling. Compared to normal skin, the staining intensity and number of epidermal LC was significantly increased in allergic (p〈0.02) and petrolatum control (p〈0.02) sites, and in 6- to 8-week old allergic patch test sites (p〈 0.006). The in situ changes in LC induced by petrolatum alone may be a result of the occlusive patch test, or may suggest that petrolatum is not as neutral as previously believed. The nickel-induced increase in LC may indicate changes in the LC present in the epithelium at the time of testing, or migration of additional LC into the epithelium, which can then remain in situ for weeks after the antigenic challenge. The specificity of the LC increase in allergic contact dermatitis is questioned on the basis of the increase noted with petrolatum.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.1986.tb01148.x
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