Epidermal cell populations and antigen expression in cultures of human neonatal epidermis

The persistence of Langerhans cells, melanocytes and ABH red cell antigens in human epidermal cell cultures derived from neonatal foreskin explants has been investigated. Langerhans cells were recognised via the detection of ATPase activity and by immunohistochemical staining for T6 and HLA-DR antigens. Melanocytes were detected by the dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) technique; whilst the presence of red cell antigens was confirmed by immunohistochemical tests using monoclonal anti-A, anti-B, and anti-H antibodies. Langerhans cells were not detected in the cultured epidermis, and few melanocytes were found more than 0.2 mm from the periphery of the explants. However, both Langerhans cells and melanocytes were found to persist for up to 4 weeks in the explants themselves. Red cell antigens, consistent with the blood group of the donor infant, were consistently detected on the surface of the differentiating keratinocytes throughout their in vitro lifespan. The significance of these findings is discussed.