Langerhans cells in connective tissue diseases

Abstract

We have conducted a quantitative analysis of Langerhans cells (LC) in skin biopsies of 20 patients with various connective tissue diseases. Clinically normal skin of SLE patients as well as lesional skin of DLE showed consistently normal LC densities as assessed using ATPase staining, anti-DR and anti-OKT6. Examination of LC in clinically involved skin of patients with scleroderma revealed an absolute or relative decrease in ATPase and OKT6 expression, while staining with anti-DR gave inconclusive results. Clinically normal skin of the same individuals showed basically normal LC density. These findings suggest that the perturbation of the LC population is probably an expression of a secondary local phenomenon, and does not reflect a more widespread derangement of the accessory cells in the skin.