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Ultrastructural studies of allergic contact dermatitis in man

Epidermal cell changes at 3, 6, and 12 h after application of DNCB

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Summary

Early epidermal lesions of allergic contact dermatitis were examined by electron microscopy. Normal human volunteers were sensitized to DNCB, and contact reactions were elicited sequentially. Epidermal cell changes at 3 h included: the occurrence of small vacuoles with or without membrane, focal dilatation of intercellular spaces, and the alteration of tonofilaments into short, aggregated bundles. Non-sensitized skin to which DNCB was applied also showed small vacuoles with or without membrane. Monocytes infiltrated into the intercellular spaces which were not dilated, and the neighboring tonofilaments of keratinocytes remained normal.

Zusammenfassung

Frühe epidermale Veränderungen bei allergischer Kontaktdermatitis wurden im Elektronenmikroskop untersucht. Gesunde freiwillige Testpersonen wurden mit DNCB sensibilisiert und in der Folge Kontaktreaktionen hervorgerufen. Epidermale Zellveränderungen nach 3 h waren unter anderem: Auftreten kleiner Vakuolen mit oder ohne Membran, stellenweise Erweiterung des Intercellularraums und eine Veränderung des Tonofilaments in kurze, gehäufte Bündel. Nicht sensibilisierte Haut, auf die DNCB appliziert wurde, zeigte auch kleine Vacuolen mit oder ohne Membran. Monocyten drangen in den Intercellularraum ein, der nicht ausgedehnt wurde. Die benachbarten Tonofilamente der Keratinocyten blieben normal.

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Komura, J., Ofuji, S. Ultrastructural studies of allergic contact dermatitis in man. Arch Dermatol Res 267, 275–282 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403848

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