T. Olivry et al., LANGERHANS CELL HYPERPLASIA AND IGE EXPRESSION IN CANINE ATOPIC-DERMATITIS, Archives of dermatological research, 288(10), 1996, pp. 579-585
Langerhans cells appear to be critical for IgE-mediated allergen captu
re and presentation in human atopic dermatitis, The present study soug
ht to determine whether epidermal (i.e Langerhans cells) and dermal de
ndritic cells in the skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis are hyperplas
tic and expressed surface IgE, Frozen sections of lesional or nonlesio
nal atopic and normal control canine skin were immunostained with CD1a
-, CD1c-, and IgE-specific monoclonal antibodies, The enumeration of c
ells was performed by morphometry in both the epidermis and the dermis
, Cell counts were compared with each individual's total serum IgE lev
els, Higher numbers of epidermal and dermal dendritic cells were prese
nt in atopic dogs than in normal control animals. Epidermal Langerhans
cell counts were significantly higher in lesional than in nonlesional
atopic specimens, IgE(+) dendritic cells were observed in lesional at
opic epidermis and dermis, and nonlesional atopic dermis, but not in n
ormal control skin specimens, The percentages of IgE(+) dendritic cell
s were correlated with each patient's total serum IgE levels, These re
sults demonstrate dendritic cell hyperplasia and IgE expression in can
ine atopic dermatitis, Increased epidermal Langerhans cell counts in l
esional specimens suggest an epidermal allergen contact in canine atop
ic dermatitis.