Avian epidermis contains ATPase- and Ia-positive Langerhans-like cells.
The occurrence of cells resembling mammalian Langerhans cells in the avian epidermis was studied by ATPase histochemistry, Ia immunoreactivity and electron microscopy. The existence of MHC class II antigen-(Ia) expressing, ATPase-positive dendritic cells, which are ultrastructurally similar to mammalian Langerhans cells except for the absence of Birbeck granules, was demonstrated. These cells may be a basic component of the immune system of birds.
Akhter
N
N
Department of Anatomy, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kobayashi
M
M
Hoshino
T
T
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011784:Quail; D013045:Species Specificity
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases