Langerhans' cells are depleted in chronic graft versus host disease

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 305 - 309
• Main Authors: Aractingi, S, Gluckman, E, Dauge-Geffroy, M C, Le Goué, C, Flahaut, A, Dubertret, L, Carosella, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.04.1997; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Bone marrow, stem cells transplantation. Graft versus host reaction; Female; Graft vs Host Disease - complications; Graft vs Host Disease - pathology; Humans; Langerhans Cells - cytology; Langerhans Cells - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Skin Diseases - pathology; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Immunopathology; Skin disease; Circumscribed scleroderma; Graft versus host reaction; Transplantation; Homotransplantation; Lichen planus; Pathology; Langerhans cell; Surgery; Bone marrow; Morphometry; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.50.4.305

AIMS: To measure Langerhans' cells in skin of patients treated by bone marrow transplantation who developed chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD); to determine whether the reduction in Langerhans' cells resulted directly from the GvHD or from other factors, such as the immunosuppressive regimens used in bone marrow transplant patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Lesional and nonlesional skin specimens from nine patients with lichen planus-like lesions and three patients with sclerodermoid lesions were studied. Control skin specimens were taken from three patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. The number of Langerhans' cells/mm2 and the area of Langerhans' cells as a percentage of total epidermis were measured by counting cells labelled with antihuman CD1a. RESULTS: A significant reduction in Langerhans' cell area and number were found in specimens with lesions (area 3.5%; number 507/mm2) compared with specimens without lesions (8.42%; 2375/mm2). In contrast, Langerhans' cell area and number in skin without lesions were similar to controls (10.26%; 2968/mm2). CONCLUSIONS: Langerhans' cells were significantly reduced in skin with lesions of chronic GvHD but not in skin without lesions from the same patient, suggesting that the reduction is a direct consequence of GvHD and not linked to immunosuppressive drugs or late effects of conditioning regimens. In long term bone marrow transplant recipients, Langerhans' cells are derived mainly from the donor cells; therefore, this result suggests the occurrence of autoreactive phenomenon in chronic GvHD.