Dendritic cell component in fetal dermatitis.
Fetal dermatitis (FD) has been proposed as the cutaneous counterpart of chorioamnionitis. One of its main characteristics is the expression by the inflammatory cells of Toll-like receptors (TLR). Antigen-presenter cells, such as histiocytes, neutrophils and dendritic cells usually express the latter. Histiocytes as well as neutrophils have been demonstrated in the inflammatory infiltrate of FD, but no studies have been performed about dendritic cells. Our objective is to study the population of dendritic cells in cases of FD. We have studied three cases of FD by immunohistochemistry with CD1a antibody. Dendritic cells were present in the dermis as well as in the epidermis of all the cases of FD. Nevertheless, they did not seem to be greater in number from what is considered as normal in a dermis without inflammation. Although our results are not incompatible with a main role of dendritic cells in FD, at least such a role would be plaid without an increase in the number of dendritic cells.
Fernandez-Flores
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Service of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, Spain. gpyauflowerlion@terra.es
D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy