Age-associated changes in Langerhans cells of murine oral epithelium and epidermis

Oral mucosa and skin of older individuals are immunologically less responsive to a range of allergens, but it is not known whether this is due to changes in the number of Langerhans cells or to impaired cell function. EDTA-separated epithelial sheets from the cheek and palate mucosa, and from ear aN< footpad skin of three-month-old and 24-month-old C57BL/6NNia mice were stained for ATPase, beta-glucuronidase activity and Iab-surface antigen to demonstrate Langerhans cells. The general distribution of such cells was unchanged with age, but those in epithelia from the old mice were more varied in shape, with irregular celL bodies and more elongated dendritic processes. The numerical density of Langerhans cells in old mice was reduced by 30-59 per cent compared with that in young mice.