Human epidermal Langerhans cells undergo profound morphologic and phenotypical changes during in vitro culture

Morphology, phenotype, and enzyme activity of highly enriched (80%) unlabeled human epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) have been studied, with emphasis on changes during a short-term culture of three days in vitro. All freshly isolated LC contained Birbeck granules and expressed high levels of CD1a, CD1c, and MHC class II molecules HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ. They have a weak to moderate expression of RFD1, C3biR, Fc gamma R, p 150/95, MHC class I molecules HLA-ABC, and of the adhesion molecules LFA-3 and ICAM-1, whereas no expression of LFA-1 and several monocyte/macrophage markers were detected. Human LC undergo profound changes during in vitro culture. Birbeck granules, C3biR, Fc gamma R, and p 150/95 were completely lost and the expression of CD1a and CD1c was markedly decreased or lost. Expression of molecules that have essential functions in antigen presentation remained present at the same level (MHC class II molecules and ICAM-1) or was markedly enhanced (LFA-3 and MHC class I). Highly remarkable was the dramatically enhanced expression of interdigitating cell marker RFD1. The monocyte/macrophage markers initially absent remained absent and the enzyme activity initially present (including ATPase and nonspecific esterase) remained present. In conclusion, the results in this report stress rapid alterations of human LC during in vitro culture, resulting in transformation into cells that have phenotypical characteristics of potent antigen presenting cells that resemble interdigitating cells.