title: HLA-DR-expressing Langerhans'-like cells in vaginal and cervical epithelium.
abstract: Sections of ethanol-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from human vagina and exocervix were stained by an indirect immunofluorescence method with a rabbit antiserum to HLA-DR antigens. A specific staining of cells having a dendritic appearance were seen. The cells were randomly distributed, mainly in the parabasal cell-layer of the stratified squamous epithelium. The number of dendritic cells was 1-3% of all cells in the cervical epithelium and 1-5% of the cells in the vaginal epithelium. Most probably these cells are Langerhans' cells.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II