Complete donor chimaerism of Langerhans cells in lymph node early after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Abstract

Host-derived Langerhans cells (LCs) are crucial antigen-presenting cells that cause graft-vs.-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, chimaerism of LCs after allogeneic HSCT is largely unknown in humans. We here report a case that developed dermatopathic lymphadenitis accompanied by an accumulation of donor-derived LCs in the second month after allogeneic HSCT with reduced-intensity conditioning. This is the first case to show that donor LCs have the ability to migrate into draining lymph nodes and replace host LCs early after HSCT in humans.