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Electronmicroscopic evidence of synthetic activity in Langerhans cells of human epidermis

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Summary

The Langerhans cell appears to be a common and essential element of healthy human skin displaying fine-structural and histochemical evidence of intense metabolic activity throughout the living epidermis. Even the tiny cell processes reaching the granular layer contain mitochondria, agranular endoplasmic reticulum, and rods, the specific products of the Langerhans cell. Also the elaborate Golgi-complex and the large surface-area of the lobulated nucleus reflect high synthetic activity.

The Langerhans cell is not a worn-out melanocyte but a highly productive, probably secretory cell. Within the limitations of static morphology the prevailing hypothesis that the Langerhans cell represents an ascending derivative of a previously pigment producing melanocyte seems unwarranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of Helsinki, Finland

    U. Kiistala & K. K. Mustakallio

  2. Department of Dermatology, University Central Hospital, Snellmaninkatu 14, 17, Helsinki, Finland

    U. Kiistala & K. K. Mustakallio

Authors
  1. U. Kiistala
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  2. K. K. Mustakallio
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Acknowledgement. We are indebted to Miss Tellervo Huima for the preparation of the electronmicroscopic specimens and to the Finnish Medical Research Council for a grant.

Assistant of the Finnish Medical Research Council.

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Kiistala, U., Mustakallio, K.K. Electronmicroscopic evidence of synthetic activity in Langerhans cells of human epidermis. Z. Zellforsch. 78, 427–440 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00325322

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00325322

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