title: The skin as an immunologic organ.
abstract: The epidermis is a heterogeneous tissue comprised of cells that may play a role in various types of immunologic responses. This review focuses on the importance of epidermal Langerhans' cells in antigen presenting and accessory cell functions, on the role of la-positive keratinocytes in generating certain types of immune responses, on the role of normal keratinocytes in the liberation of cytokines, on the identification of murine Thy-1-bearing dendritic epidermal cells, and on the modulation of epidermal immune functions by various physical and chemical agents.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens; D007633:Keratins