Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of Langerhans cells in condyloma acuminatum.
BACKGROUND
There are few studies on the abnormal morphology of Langerhans cells (LCs) in condyloma acuminatum (CA) lesions and the essence of the abnormal morphology of LCs in CA lesions is still not well elucidated. The aim of this study was to further investigate the morphological features of LCs in CA lesions.


METHODS
CD1a(+) LCs in 13 CA lesions and in 13 normal controls were labeled using immunohistochemistry and examined by light microscopy. Ultrastructural investigation on LCs in six CA lesions and in six normal controls was performed by electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Compared with those in normal controls, most CD1a(+) LCs in CA lesions exhibited dysplastic dendrities and abnormal distribution. The number of CD1a(+) LCs in CA lesions (26.31 +/- 18.84) was statistically lower (p < 0.001) than that in normal controls (72.00 +/- 27.40). Electron microscopy showed that the number of Birbeck granules within lesional LCs (4.00 +/- 2.94) was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) than that within normal LCs (10.80 +/- 4.78). The ultrastructures of most lesional LCs displayed degenerative changes.


CONCLUSIONS
The morphology of most LCs in CA lesions shows degenerative changes, which suggest that these LCs have been functionally impaired.
Feng
Jin-Yun
JY
Department of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. fjyfjy888@163.com
Peng
Zhen-Hui
ZH
Tang
Xiao-Ping
XP
Geng
Song-Mei
SM
Liu
Yu-Ping
YP
D000328:Adult; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D052816:Foreskin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D015415:Biomarkers; C419393:CD1a antigen