|
KMID : 0377519890140020227
|
|
Chung-Ang Journal of Medicine
1989 Volume.14 No. 2 p.227 ~ p.241
|
|
|
Experimental Study on Langerhans Cell Density of Guinea Pig Treated with Steroid and Non-steroid Immunosuppressants
|
|
Hong Chang-Kwun
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
Langerhans cells (LC) are known to be immune macrophages of the epidermis and_ to play a crucial role as antigen presenting cells in the induction of positive immune responses to antigens presented through the skin. Because of their location in the epidermis, they are subject to many environmental toxins as well as epicutaneous medications. This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of topical and systemic administration of immunosuppressants on both Langerhans cells and their antigen presenting capacity in the Guinea Pig. _
Hydrocortisone, prednisolone, cyclosporine A ´and azathioprine were administrated daily for 10 consecutive days by either topical application to skin, intraperitoneal injection or oral administration. LC densities were determined on the day following cessation of treatment by staining for the plasma membrane-bound ATPase in the EDTA-treated epidermal sheet preparation. DNFB-induced hypersensitivities were assayed by measuring the increment of ear swelling. All immunosuppressants caused- a significant reduction in ATPase-positive LC of the epidermis. Both- topical application and systemic administration of immunosuppressants depleted the skin of LC, although topical treatment proved to be in a greater decrease in LC density than systemic administration. Furthermore, the decrease obtained in LC density correlated with substantial impairment in inducing hypersensitivity of the skin.
The above finding suggested that immunosuppressants exert their inhibitory effect on contact
hypersensitivity through suppression LC-density and antigen-presenting function of these cells.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|