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3D Visualization of Epidermal Langerhans Cells

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Molecular Dermatology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 961))

Abstract

Langerhans cells (LCs) are intraepidermal dendritic cells that extend their dendrites between keratinocytes to form a dense network that covers the entire body. The mammalian epidermis has two diffusion barriers, the stratum corneum and tight junctions (TJs). In their resting state, LCs sit underneath these two barriers. Once activated, LCs elongate their dendrites to dock with, or penetrate through, TJs, which allows them to survey the environment between the two barriers. Here, we describe a method to visualize this dynamic interaction of TJs and LCs in 3D by using mouse ear epidermal sheets.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research and the “Promotion of Environmental Improvement for Independence of Young Researchers” program with funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, and Health Labour Sciences Research Grants for Research on Allergic Diseases and Immunology from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

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Correspondence to Akiharu Kubo .

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Kubo, A., Nagao, K., Amagai, M. (2013). 3D Visualization of Epidermal Langerhans Cells. In: Has, C., Sitaru, C. (eds) Molecular Dermatology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 961. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-227-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-227-8_5

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-226-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-227-8

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