Ia+ dendritic cells lining the dermo-epidermal junction in bullous skin disorders, associated with the deposition of immune complexes.
Skin biopsies from 34 patients, presenting with a variety of bullous skin disorders were investigated, using routine light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. In bullous skin diseases characterized by deposition of complement factors (CF) and/or immunoglobulins (Ig), a monolayer of OKIa+1, OKT-6, OKM-1 dendritic cells was found at the dermo-epidermal junction. Retrospectively, these cells were easily recognized on paraffin embedded, H & E stained material. In bullous skin disorders, showing no deposition of CF and/or Ig, this monolayer of dendritic cells was lacking. It is suggested that these OKIa+1, OKT-6, OKM-1 dendritic cells at the dermo-epidermal junction represent some type of antigen presenting cells, not corresponding to Langerhans cells, veiled cells or indeterminate cells.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D001706:Biopsy; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II