title: [Langerhans cells].
abstract: Epidermal Langerhans cells, a constituent of the skin immune system, have a spectrum of different functions with implications that extend far beyond the skin. They have the potential to internalize particulate agents and macromolecules, and display migratory properties that endow them with the unique capacity to journey between skin and draining lymph nodes where they encounter antigen-specific T lymphocytes. In addition, LC are considered to play a pivotal role in infectious disease such as Aids, allergy, chronic inflammatory reactions, tumor rejections or transplantation. Herein, we will review the features of Langerhans cells, emphasizing characteristics representative of their life-cycle stages that occur within the skin.
authors.affiliation: Université Lyon I, EA 3732, Hôpital Edouard-Herriot, Pavillon R, 69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France. valladeau@lyon.inserm.fr
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valladeau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D023201:CD40 Ligand