Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Preparation of Single-cell Suspensions for Cytofluorimetric Analysis from Different Mouse Skin Regions
Published on: April 20, 2016
The skin barrier, atopic dermatitis and allergy: a role for Langerhans cells?
Robin E Callard1, John I Harper
1Immunobiology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK, WC1N 1EH. rcallard@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
The skin barrier (stratum corneum) is a major factor for determining the nature of immune response to antigens presented at the skin surface. Genetic abnormalities in skin barrier function are associated with allergy and atopic dermatitis, and removal of the skin barrier by tape stripping results in dominant Th2 responses to protein antigens. Langerhans cells take up antigen applied to skin from which the skin barrier has been removed; they then migrate to draining lymph nodes and initiate typical Th2 responses. These observations lead us to propose that the high frequency of allergic disease in the industrialized world might be due to lifestyle choices that result in loss of integrity of the skin barrier such as excessive washing and exfoliation of the skin.
Related Concept Videos
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Allergic Reactions
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
