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Langerhans cells in human apocrine ducts

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Summary

Electron microscopic observations revealed for the first time a few number of Langerhans cells within the intradermal apocrine duct of the normal human axillary skin. In many respects the fine structural features of Langerhans cells were noted to be identical with those described in the epidermis.

Our present results suggest that Langerhans cells could be a stable and constant cellular constituent for the normal apocrine ducts. The significance of this presence of Langerhans cells remains to be investigated.

Zusammenfassung

Die normale Haut der Axilla des Menschen wurde elektronenmikroskopisch beobachtet. In der suprabasalen Schicht des apokrinen Schweißdrüsen-Ausführungsgangs fanden sich einzelne Langerhans-Zellen, die ultrastrukturell mit denen in der Epidermis identisch waren. Sie zeigt meistens flächigere spindelförmige Gestaltung mit paralleler Längsachse zum Drüsengang. Diese Langerhans-Zellen könnten vermutlich als ein essentielles Bauelement des apokrinen Schweißdrüsengangs, wie in der Epidermis dienen.

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Ito, K., Kawada, A., Sato, S. et al. Langerhans cells in human apocrine ducts. Arch. Derm. Res. 256, 291–295 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572495

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