[Immunohistochemical characterization of S100 proteinpositive dendritic cells in gastric mucosa]

Immunohistochemical staining was performed by the ABC method using antibody against S100 protein for the identification of dendritic cells (DC) in the gastric mucosa, including gastric ulcer (n = 19), chronic atrophic gastritis (n = 28), gastric carcinoma (n = 65), fetal gastric mucosa (n = 11) and normal controls (n = 15). Lower numbers of DC may indicate an antigen-deficient state in normal and fetal gastric mucosa, while the diverse densities of DC in pathological conditions may reflect the differences in antigenic quantities and qualities and in individual immune responses. The close association between DC and lymphocytes in situ suggest an antigen-presenting capacity of DC controlling the activation of lymphocytes.