title: Deterioration of the Langerhans cell network of the human gingival epithelium with aging.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the professional antigen-presenting cells responsible for initiating of the immune response. Langerhans cells (LCs) are a type of DC that is a permanent resident of the oral epithelium. LCs are organized conforming a network in such a way as to maximize their surface area for efficient apprehension of antigens. To detect age-related changes in the LCs network, fragments of gingival epithelium spontaneously accompanying dental removals were processed by immunohistochemistry. Monoclonal antibody CD1a followed by biotinized immunoglobulin-streptoavidin peroxidase were used to identify the LCs with the light microscope. LC density and LC types were analyzed according to their morphology and intraepithelial distribution. In the older age group (61-74 years) the density was significantly lower than in the younger age groups. Morphologically, LCs showed fewer dendritic-branching processes and had a rounded shape in the older age group. Present observations indicate that the LC network changes markedly with aging. These results suggest that immunological defense of the oral tissue might be compromised in old age.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Histología y Embriología y Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Casilla de Correo 56, Mendoza, Argentina. waltherzavala@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Walther David
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Zavala
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cavicchia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D004848:Epithelium; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology