Histologische Beobachtungen an der normalen menschlichen Haut bei der Durchf�hrung ferment-histochemischer Untersuchungen mit Adenosintriphosphat als Substrat

Femtosecond two-photon high-resolution 3D imaging, spatial-volume rendering and microspectral characterization of immunolocalized MHC-II and mLangerin/CD207 antigens in the mouse epidermis

Langerhans cells (LCs) play a sentinel role by initiating both adaptive and innate immune responses to antigens pertinent to the skin. With the discovery of various LCs markers including antibodies to major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules and CD1a, intracellular presence of racket-shaped "Birbeck granules," and very recently Langerin/CD207, LCs can be readily distinguished from other subsets of dendritic cells. Femtosecond two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) in recent years has emerged as an alternative to the single photon-excitation based confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), particularly for minimally-invasive deep-tissue 3D and 4D vital as well as nonvital biomedical imaging. We have recently combined high resolution two-photon immunofluorescence (using anti MHC-II and Langerin/CD207 antibodies) imaging with microspectroscopy and advanced image-processing/volume-rendering modalities. In this work, we demonstrate the use of this novel state-of-the-art combinational approach to characterize the steady state 3D organization and spectral features of the mouse epidermis, particularly to identify the spatial distribution of LCs. Our findings provide unequivocal direct evidence that, in the mouse epidermis, the MHC-II and mLangerin/CD207 antigens do indeed manifest a high degree of colocalization around the nucleus of the LCs, while in the distal dendritic processes, mLangerin/CD207 antigens are rather sparsely distributed as punctuate structures. This unique possibility to simultaneously visualize high resolution 3D-resolved spatial distributions of two different immuno-reactive antigens, namely MHC-II and mLangerin/CD207, along with the nuclei of LCs and the adjacent epidermal cells can find interesting applications. These could involve aspects associated with pragmatic analysis of the kinetics of LCs migration as a function of immuno-dermatological responses during (1) human Immunodeficiency virus disease progression, (2) vaccination and targeted gene therapy, (3) skin transplantation/plastic surgery, (4) ultraviolet and other radiation exposure, (5) tissue-engineering of 3D skin constructs, as well as in (6) cosmetic industry, to unravel the influence of cosmeceuticals.

Early history and iconography of lupus erythematosus

In analyzing the history of a certain disease, not only must the particular disease be investigated, but related pathological conditions that exist in a population at a given time must also be addressed. Also, the prevalence of other diseases should be explored, which may have a bearing on the problem under discussion. The history of medicine can help in this respect, revealing the circumstances or the environment when certain diseases (dis)appeared. Terminology must also be explored, and is the point with which we will begin. With regard to lupus, this again is the case (Latin for wolf; lykos ___ in Greek). Taboo and fantasy border semantics because in the naming of the wolf, the image of "tearing apart" or "pulling or ripping off" (a destructive phenomenon) comes into play. Even the Sanskrit word allows such a relation (v_ik, varkate, v_íkah [symbols: see text]). As a consequence, processes of various origin but characterized by ulceration or necrosis (neoplastic, infectious, traumatic, etc), were labeled lupus before the mid-19th century, and no specific pathogenesis was implied. This resulted in considerable confusion, as the books of Willan, Alibert, Cazenave, Schedeland, Hebra, and others prove. We see no purpose in delving further into the history of ulcerative lesions and what was understood early on to be their presumed cause, eg, back to Paracelsus and to the Old Testament ("shekhin" [see text] Hebrew, meaning "ulcer"); or, "cancer," another such descriptive term relating to destruction, taken from the Greek).

Langerhans cells - dendritic cells of the epidermis

Langerhans cells (LC) are dendritic cells of the epidermis. They are highly specialized leukocytes that serve immunogenic and tolerogenic purposes. Here, we review some aspects of LC biology, emphasizing those areas where LC are or may turn out to be special.

The presence of bacteria in the oral epithelium in periodontal disease. III. Correlation with Langerhans cells

Langerhans cells (LC) are cell types found in the skin and gingiva. LC have immunological functions as phagocytic cells and as antigen-presenting cells for T and B lymphocytes. Sections from biopsies of the gingiva in cases of periodontal disease were found to have increased numbers of LC. These biopsies also contained intragingival bacteria. Serial sections of frozen specimens of human gingiva were prepared for staining. Hematoxylin and eosin were used for tissue survey, the Gram stain for assessment of bacterial invasion, anti-Leu-6 monoclonal antibody associated with peroxidase technique (PAP) to identify LC, antibacterial sera to Bacteroides gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans associated with peroxidase to specifically identify these two common periodontopathogenic bacteria. Additional positive identification of bacteria was performed by preparing the same histological section containing gram-stained particles for scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope LC confirmation. The results suggest that the increased number of LC seen in diseased sites of oral epithelium containing intragingival microorganisms may be one of the host immune mechanisms to penetration by bacteria.

Association between plaque accumulation and Langerhans cell numbers in the oral epithelium of attached gingiva

After gingival health had been achieved in four subjects they were instructed to cease all oral hygiene measures. At 0, 8 and 21 days Plaque and Gingival Indices were recorded and gingival biopsies were removed from the buccal aspect of a first molar. Frozen sections of the gingival oral epithelium were stained for ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase to determine the number of Langerhans cells in a defined cross-sectional area. It was found that, as plaque accumulated, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of Langerhans cells in oral epithelium, particularly in the stratum spinosum. These results indicate that dental plaque can elicit a response in Langerhans cells located in the oral epithelium of the gingiva.

The Langerhans cell: the master key to contact dermatitis: a hypothesis

A tentative model is presented which is based on existing published data. The model suggests that the epidermal Langerhans cell plays a central role in contact dermatitis by proliferation control of keratinocytes and as the most peripheral outpost of the immune system. Contact dermatitis to chemicals is the injurious expression of a defense mechanism designed phylogenetically against arthropods and insects.