Dense bodies and Langerhans granules after application of podophyllum resin

Abstract

The application of an alcoholic solution of podophyllum resin at concentrations above 10% for seven hours on guinea-pig udders increases the number of dense intracytoplasmic bodies in the Langerhans cells localized in the epidermis. A close relationship can be established between these inclusions and the typical Langerhans granules in view of the numerous intermediate forms with features of one or the other. Serial sections of these structures confirm the irregularity not only of the lysosome-like bodies but also of the Langerhans granules, which may be fusiform or oblong or even present two vesicular dilatations, one at each end of the rod.