British Journal of Dermatology

Schaefer, H.; Prunieras, M.; Shroot, B.; Greaves, M. W.; Juhlin, L.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15618.xpmid: N/A

THIVOLET, J.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15619.xpmid: 3893516

SUMMARYIn many benign and malignant skin disorders, lymphocytes and associated monocytic cells predominate among the various types of cells infiltrating the dermis and/or the epidermis.Immunohistological techniques utilized for the purpose of combining immunological parameters and morphological criteria have been reviewed. The rosetting techniques, enzyme histochemistry and immunohistological techniques using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were reported for light microscopy. In the field of immunoelectron microscopy, immunoperoxidase labelling and the immunogold technique were also subject to discussion. These techniques may be supplemented by various methods of cell biology (obtaining enriched cell suspensions of infiltrate cell subsets). The possiblity of quantitative studies was considered.Results obtained in cutaneous pathology using these techniques were reviewed and discussed. Among others, human skin tuberculin lesions and DNCB skin tests represent models of delayed hypersensitivity.Infiltrates in the following conditions were presented: non‐tumoral lesions (lichen planus, erythema multiform, erythema fixum, GVH and allograft rejection, cutaneous sarcoidosis and other infiammatory infiltrates); in lymphomas and related conditions; in tumoral lesions (warts and papillomas, peritumoral infiltrates around epidermal neoplasias).Finally Langerhans cells in infiammatory dermatosis, in skin tumours and in histiocytosis X were considered.

SCHMITT, D.; DEZUTTER‐DAMBUYANT, C.; FAURE, M.; THIVOLET, J.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15620.xpmid: 3925979

SUMMARYUsing electron microscopy, the immunological visualization of the membrane antigens of Langerhans cells (LC) can be performed by immunoperoxidase and immunogold techniques.The immunoperoxidase labelling permits the identification of only one antigen and the observation of qualitative variations of surface antigens.The immunogold method allows the identification of one antigen or simultaneously two or three surface antigens using gold particles of various sizes. This technique can be used to quantify the surface density of antigens on the cell membrane. The simultaneous identification of different surface antigens can be correlated with the ultrastructural characteristics of the cells. Using this technique we have recently demonstrated the existence of LC subsets in normal epidermis, and the presence of circulating T6‐positive cells in normal subjects. In addition, a very low density of T4 antigenic sites on the LC membrane surface was observed.Several problems of a double‐labelling immunogold technique related to steric hindrance and current artifacts are discussed.

ZACHARY, C. B.; POULTER, L. W.; MACDONALD, D. M.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15621.xpmid: 3874646

CZERNIELEWSKI, J. M.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15622.xpmid: 3160382

CHAMBERS, DONALD A.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15623.xpmid: 2861845

SUMMARYRecently a class of cells distinguished by the presence of the cell‐surface protein, Thy‐I, has been discovered in the epidermis. These cells constitute a heterogeneous population such that they may be dendritic or round, and may be derived from both mesenchymal and ectodermal tissue. Phenotypically, cells with the following characteristics have been observed: Thy‐I +, Vim +; Thy‐I+, Vim‐; Thy‐I+, Ker+; Thy‐I+, Ker‐; Thy‐I +, asialo GMI+; Thy‐I +, asialo GMI ‐. Thy‐I + epidermal cells do not appear to be T or B lymphocytes, macrophage/monocytes or melanocytes. The Thy‐I+ epidermal cell can be studied in in vivo and in vitro systems. It would appear that skin as well as the immune system contain Thy‐I+ and Ia + cells. Such cells may he prerequisite for both systems to carry out their primary defense functions.

MACKAY, A. R.; SEDGWICK, A. D.; DUNN, C. J.; FLEMING, W. E.; WILLOUGHBY, D. A.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15624.xpmid: 2990518

TURK, J. L.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15625.xpmid: 4015981

SUMMARYA comparison is made between immunologically induced and non‐immunologically induced granulomas in guinea‐pigs injected with metals (zirconium and aluminium) or with mycobacteria (BCG vaccine and Mycobacterium leprae). Immunological granulomas were characterized by epithelioid cells and fibrosis, whereas non‐immunological granulomas contained phagocytosing macrophages with little evidence of fibroblast activation. Epithelioid cells carry the same specific macrophage antigen as phagocytosing macrophages and this can be detected by the use of a specific monoclonal antibody. However, they differ from phagocytosing macrophages in that they are poorly phagocytic, not glass adherent and lack Ia antigen. They are however secretory cells with rough endoplasmic reticulum. A relation between the presence of these cells and increased collagen synthesis is indicated.A study of accessory cell function showed that the epithelioid cells of BCG granulomas were able to support mitogen‐induced but not antigen‐induced proliferation of T lymphocytes. The macrophages of M. leprae granulomas did not support either a mitogen‐ or antigen‐induced proliferative response.

BAGOT, M.; HESLAN, M.; DUBERTRET, L.; ROUJEAU, J. C.; TOURAINE, R.; LEVY, J. P.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15626.xpmid: 2410006

MICHEL, L.; DUBERTRET, L.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1985.tb15627.xpmid: 2990519

SUMMARYA new method is described allowing the quantitative and kinetic analysis, in vivo in human skin, of the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells, of the modifications of vascular permeability and of the histological and cytological events induced by certain mediators of inflammation. In order to illustrate the usefulness of the method, the effects of chronic contact to human skin of two potent mediators of inflammation, LTB4 and Paf‐acether, are described.