Anat Cell Biol.  2015 Sep;48(3):177-187. 10.5115/acb.2015.48.3.177.

Regional differences in the density of Langerhans cells, CD8-positive T lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages: a preliminary study using elderly donated cadavers

• Omine Y
• Hinata N
• Yamamoto M
• Kasahara M
• Matsunaga
• Murakami G
• Abe SI

• KMID: 2424820
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2015.48.3.177

Abstract

To provide a better understanding of the local immune system in the face and external genitalia, i.e., the oral floor, lower lip, palpebral conjunctiva, anus and penis, we examined the distribution and density of CD1a-positve Langerhans cells, CD8-positive suppressor T lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages using specimens from 8 male elderly cadavers. The density of Langerhans cells showed an individual difference of more than (or almost) 10-fold in the lip (oral floor). In the oral floor, Langerhans cells were often spherical. Submucosal or subcutaneous suppressor lymphocytes, especially rich in the oral floor and penile skin, migrated into the epithelium at 4 sites, except for the anus. In the conjunctiva, macrophage migration into the epithelium was seen in all 8 specimens. The density of suppressor lymphocytes showed a significant correlation between the oral floor and the lip (r=0.78). In contrast, the anal and penile skins showed no positive correlation in the density of all three types of immunoreactive cells examined. Overall, irrespective of the wide individual differences, the oral floor and conjunctiva seemed to be characterized by a rich content of all three cell types, whereas the penile skin was characterized by an abundance of suppressor lymphocytes. Based on the tables, as mean value, the relative abundance of three different cell types were as follows; CD1a-positive Langerhans cells (anus), CD8-positive lymphocytes (penis), and CD68-positive macrophages (lip). The present observations suggest that the local immune response is highly site-dependent, with a tendency for tolerance rather than rejection.

Keyword

Langerhans cells; CD8; CD68; Oral floor; Lip; Conjunctiva; Anal canal; Penis; Human anatomy

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Anal Canal
Cadaver*
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Conjunctiva
Epithelium
Genitalia
Humans
Immune System
Individuality
Langerhans Cells*
Lip
Lymphocytes
Macrophages*
Male
Penis
Skin
T-Lymphocytes*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 CD1a-positive Langerhans cells, CD8-positive T lymphocytes, and CD68-positive macrophages in the oral floor mucosa. Immunohistochemistry of CD8 (A, D), CD68 (B, E), and CD1a (C, F). Panel (A-C) display the same mucosal fold using adjacent sections at the same magnification (scale bar in panel A=1 mm), while panels (D-F) correspond to square in panels (A-C), respectively at the same magnification (scale bar in panel D=0.1 mm). Thus, the positive cells do not show maximum density in panels (E) and (F). Some of suppressor lymphocytes have migrated into the epithelium (D), in contrast to macrophages (E). The epithelium contains abundant spherical Langerhans cells (arrows in panel F).

• 

  Fig. 2 CD1a-positive Langerhans cells, CD8-positive T lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages in the lower lip. Immunohistochemistry of CD8 (A, E), CD68 (B, F), and CD1a (C, D). Panels (A-C) display the same site using adjacent sections at the same magnification (scale bar in panel A=1 mm), while panels (D-F) correspond to square in panels (A-C), respectively at the same magnification (scale bar in panel D=0.1 mm). Thus, the positive cells do not show maximum density (E, F).

• 

  Fig. 3 CD1a-positive Langerhans cells, CD8-positive T lymphocytes, and CD68-positive macrophages in the palpebral conjunctiva. Immunohistochemistry of CD8 (A, D), CD68 (B, E), and CD1a (C, F). Panel (A-C) display the same mucosal grooves using adjacent sections at the same magnification (scale bar in panel A=1 mm), while panels (D-F) correspond to square in panels (A-C), respectively at the same magnification (scale bar in panel D=0.1 mm). Thus, the positive cells do not have maximum density (D, E). A few suppressor lymphocytes and macrophages have migrated into the epithelium (arrows in panels D and E). The epithelium contains abundant pyramidal or dendritic Langerhans cells (F).

• 

  Fig. 4 CD1a-positive Langerhans cells, CD8-positive T lymphocytes, and CD68-positive macrophages in the anal canal. Immunohistochemistry of CD8 (A, D, E), CD68 (B, F, G), and CD1a (C, H). Panel (A-C) display the same mucosal groove using near sections at the same magnification (scale bar in panel A=1 mm), while panels (D), (F), and (H) correspond to square in panels (A-C) at the same magnification (scale bar in panel D=0.1 mm). Thus, the positive cells do not show maximum density (D, F). Panels (E) and (G) (scale bar in panel E=0.1 mm) show submucosal tissue around a vein (corresponding to circle in panels A and B, respectively). Suppressor lymphocytes as well as macrophages are concentrated not in and along the epithelium, but near the submucosal vessels (D-G). Langerhans cells extend in parallel with (not toward) the epithelial surface (H).

• 

  Fig. 5 CD1a-positive Langerhans cells, CD8-positive T lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages in the penile skin. Immunohistochemistry of CD8 (A, D), CD68 (B, E), and CD1a (C, F). Panel (A-C) display the bottom of the coronary sulcus or groove under the penile prepuce using adjacent sections at the same magnification (scale bar in panel A=1 mm), while panels (D-F) correspond to square in panels (A-C), respectively at the same magnification (scale bar in panel D=0.1 mm). Thus, the positive cells do not show maximum density (E, F). Abundant suppressor lymphocytes have migrated into the epithelium (D), in contrast to macrophages (E). The epithelium contains pyramidal Langerhans cells (F).

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