Langerhans cells in human warts

Abstract

Seventy-six warts (15 plantar, 38 hand, 16 miscellaneous and seven anogenital lesions) taken from 55 patients, were studied by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies specific for T-cell subsets, Langerhans cells (LC) and HLA-DR antigen. The results were related to the presence of viral antigen. Approximately 80% of the lesions showed an infiltrate. Only 19 lesions contained helper/inducer or suppressor/cytotoxic T cells. The distribution of LC was abnormal in 65% of biopsies which contained LC in the dermis, and 29% were devoid of LC in the epidermis. Many lesions had reduced numbers of LC in the epidermis. The disappearance of LC from the epidermis was related to the presence of viral antigen, but not to the presence of particular T-cell subsets. Infiltrating cells were sometimes HLA-DR-positive, whereas basal cells did not express HLA-DR antigen, irrespective of the density of the infiltrate.

Inverse modulation of intraepithelial Langerhans' cells and stromal macrophage/dendrocyte populations in human papillomavirus-associated squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix

“…The density of Langerhans' cells detected by anti-S100 antibody in the present study was similar to that previously reported with other antibodies, such as anti-CDla, in normal and pathological cervical tissues [51 ]. A similar depletion of Langerhans' cells has also been observed in HPV-related lesions of other squamous epithelia, even when these develop in the absence of any pre-existing metaplastic process, such as penile condylomata [51 ], cutaneous warts [19], laryngeal papillomas [18] and skin lesions of epidermodysplasia verruciformis patients [35], suggesting that HPV infection by itself is a main factor in the depletion of Langerhans' cells in SILs. It has been demonstrated that more than 90% of cervical SILs are HPV-associated [25,44,76] and that, with sufficiently sensitive diagnostic methods, HPV DNA can be detected in most preneoplastic cervical lesions.…”

Immunocompetent cells and epithelial cell modifications in molluscum contagiosum

“…The complete lack of any immunocompetent cells within the epithelial components of molluscum contagiosum which did not express (32-microglobuhn may contribute to a lack of recognition by the host cellular immunity and may explain the persistence of these lesions in normal individuals. In HPV infection, a decrease of Langerhans cell density was also reported (5,6). It is possible that alteration of keratinocytes by viral infection may affect the migration of Langerhans cells to the epidermis, but ultrastructural studies are required to assess the disappearence of Langerhans cells with Birbeck granules.…”

Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection and Associated Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Males Infected with the Human Immunode.ciency Virus

“…1 As seen in women, HIV disease may affect local epithelial immunity by decreasing the quantity or function of Langerhans' cells. 5 Some reports also noted the presence of natural killer cells in cervical warts, showing the major role of cell-mediated immunity in such lesions. 1 The strong association between HIV and HPV without measurable immunosuppression may be explained by direct interactions between the two viruses.…”