Langerhans Cells Closely Associated with Thy-1-Positive Dendritic Cells in the Stratified Squamous Mucosal Epithelium of Mice

• Published in: Archives of histology and cytology Vol. 57; no. 3; pp. 259 - 266
• Main Authors: NIWA, Jun-ichi, KOBAYASHI, Miya, KOYAMA, Yoh-ichi, KOTANI, Hisanari, MITSUDO, Kenji, HOSHINO, Takeshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 01.08.1994
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Communication - physiology; Dendritic Cells - chemistry; Dendritic Cells - cytology; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium - ultrastructure; Female; Gastric Mucosa - cytology; Gastric Mucosa - growth & development; Gastric Mucosa - ultrastructure; Immunohistochemistry; Langerhans Cells - cytology; Langerhans Cells - physiology; Langerhans Cells - ultrastructure; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Microscopy, Electron; Thy-1 Antigens - analysis
• ISSN: 0914-9465; 1349-1717
• DOI: 10.1679/aohc.57.259

An immunohistochemical study was carried out on two types of dendritic immune cells, Langerhans cells and Thy-1-positive cells, in the epithelium of the forestomach of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 8-week-old mice. Investigation focused on how both types of cells were distributed and might interact in the mucosal epithelium. Langerhans cells and Thy-1-positive dendritic cells appeared in mucosal epithelium at 3 weeks of age, while in the epidermis they were first observed just after birth. In contrast with the epidermal Thy-1-positive cells, mucosal Thy-1-positive cells were closely associated with Langerhans cells. Electron microscopy also confirmed that two types of immune cells interact directly in the stratified squamous mucosal epithelium of mice.