The effect of atrophy, hyperplasia, and keratinization accompanying the estrous cycle on Langerhans' cells in mouse vaginal epithelium

Abstract

The morphology and numbers of Langerhans' cells vary in epithelia with different patterns of hyperplasia and keratinization. Langerhans' cells stained for ATPase were compared at five phases of the estrous cycle in murine vaginal epithelium. The cells were more dendritic and sparsely distributed with hyperplasia and were less dendritic and more densely distributed with atrophy. Greater numbers of the cells did not accompany keratinization at estrus. Ultrastructurally, three types of Langerhans' cells were discriminated. The first type, active in protein synthesis and phagocytosis, was commonest in sloughing and atrophic epithelium. The second type, containing accumulated and dispersed, electron-dense bodies presumed to be lysosomes, predominated in hyperplastic epithelium. The third, a mature resting cell, was found only after keratinization was complete. This study shows that Langerhans' cells in murine vaginal epithelium vary in morphology and numbers with the epithelial changes of the estrous cycle which may relate to their immunological role, but does not support the contention that their distribution is important for keratinization.

The Number and Distribution of Immune Cells in the Cervicovaginal Mucosa Remain Constant throughout the Menstrual Cycle of Rhesus Macaques

“…In mice, monkeys, and humans, the thickness of the cervicovaginal epithelium is controlled by progesterone and estrogen hormone levels (3)(4)(5)(6). Studies in rodents demonstrated that the humoral immune responses in the female genital tract are influenced by these sex hormones (7).…”

Changes in the Epithelium of the Vaginal Complex during the Estrous Cycle of the Marsupial <i>Monodelphis domestica</i>

“…Langerhans Cells LC are bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells which form an integral part of the epidermis, esophagus, cervix and vagina [Young et al, 1985;Parr et al, 1991a, b]. They are important in the recognition and processing of exogeneous antigens and are normally recognized by the presence of Birbeck granula, rod-or racket-shaped tubules or vesicles, in their cytoplasm and the absence of cell junction with neighboring cells.…”

Dendritic cells and macrophages in the genitourinary tract

“…In parallel, VEDCs in the epithelium are most numerous at this phase 3,18. In addition, on the basis of ultrastructural morphology, three distinct types of VEDCs are detected in the epithelium during the estrous cycle,33 suggesting that sex hormones may control their phenotype and function. In mice, the uterus at estrus contains F4/80 − MHC class II + CD11c + DCs and F4/80 + CD11b + monocytes and macrophages.…”