Reconstructed human epidermis: absence of Langerhans cells and failure to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes in vitro

Whole human skin can be reconstructed in vitro, using dermal equivalents made of fibroblasts in a collagen matrix. We recently described a new method of epidermalization of dermal equivalents, based on the insertion of punch biopsies and the migration of epidermal cells (EC) on the reconstructed dermis. In the present study, we show that no MHC class II or T6 positive Langerhans cells (LC) can be detected in this new epidermis. Functional studies with EC of this reconstructed epidermis show that these EC completely fail to induce proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes in mixed epidermal cell lymphocyte reactions and to raise an allogeneic T cell response. In contrast, fresh EC from the same donors induce a strong proliferative and cytotoxic response of the same effector cells. Moreover, the addition of fresh LC-containing EC autologous to effector lymphocytes does not restore an allogeneic proliferative and cytotoxic response directed against class I different EC of the new epidermis. Such a non-immunogenic whole skin model composed of two compartments, dermis and epidermis, completely devoid of class II-bearing antigen presenting cells, is thus a very promising technique for allogeneic skin grafting in the treatment of burns.