DISAPPEARANCE AND REGENERATION OF LANGERHANS CELLS FOLLOWING EPIDERMAL INJURY

[摘要] The stripping method of removing the horny layer was applied to the study of epidermal dendritic cells of guinea pigs. As a result of stripping, most of the suprabasal portion of the epithelium is eliminated as a compact parakeratotic layer carrying with it the Langerhans cells. The newly regenerated epidermis is almost devoid of Langerhans cells. The phenomenon of reappearance of Langerhans cells was followed at various intervals up to 3 weeks after stripping. Dendritic cells were identified by demonstrating nucleoside triphosphatase and dopa oxidase activities. Quantitative counts of the Langerhans cell is not found until the 15th day after injury altohugh the epidermis regenerated in 4 days. The dopa oxidase-positive melanocyte population did not change.