Immunohistologic study of the nasal mucosa with reference to Langerhans cells

Abstract

The distribution of Langerhans cells in human oral mucosa, nasal mucosa and nasal polyps was studied by means of immunohistochemistry. Our study involved 35 participants. The specimens were frozen to -70 degrees C and sliced at 4 microns with a cryostat. Monoclonal antibodies CD1 (OKT6) and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining method were used to detect Langerhans cells. In the oral mucosa and the nasal vestibule lined with stratified squamous epithelium, CD1 positive cells were observed and these cells were dendric in form. The cells were found mainly from the intermediate layer to the deep layer of the epithelium. In the inferior turbinate lined with ciliated epithelium, we could not find any CD1 positive cells at all. The nasal polyps in some cases had a normal ciliated columnar epithelium while others had metaplastic stratified squamous epithelium. Both types of epithelium in the same polyp were noted on some occasions. In nasal polyps, CD1 positive cells which showed dendric form were found in the metaplastic squamous epithelium only, and could not be observed in the ciliated columnar epithelium at all. Based on the above results, the presence of Langerhans cells is confirmed not by the anatomical location but by the type of epithelium. Langerhans cells could be detected only in the squamous epithelium. Keratinocytes, which constitute the squamous epithelium, are known to release cytokines. IL-1 (interleukin-1) and GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor) released from keratinocytes are thought to influence the viability and function of Langerhans cells. The migration of Langerhans cells into squamous epithelium may be regulated by cytokines released from keratinocytes.