title: A comparison of conjunctival and nonocular dendritic cells utilizing new monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: Langerhans cells belong to the dendritic cell family. Their presence in the conjunctiva and cornea has been demonstrated by means of various membrane and cytoplasmic markers. Utilizing OKT6, a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to Langerhans cells in conjunction with la histocompatibility antigens (HLA-DR), and a new panel of monoclonal antibodies, we compared the population density and characteristic phenotypes of Langerhans cells in normal conjunctiva with those in normal epidermis. A greater density of Langerhans cells was noted in epidermis in comparison with conjunctiva. Various areas of the conjunctiva and cornea were mapped for Langerhans cell distribution. The T6/la ratio of Langerhans cells in conjunctiva was notably different from that in skin. Utilizing the Prolm2 marker, we identified non-Langerhans dendritic cells in the substantia propria and in the basilar epithelium of the conjunctiva, antigen-processing cells probably identical to the interdigitating dendritic cells of lymph nodes.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000166:cytology; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal