A method for quantifying Langerhans cells in epidermal sheets of human and murine skin

Langerhans cells are dendritic cells located in the epidermis. Several techniques have been used previously to stain these cells in sheets of epidermis separated from dermis. The ATPase technique is most commonly used but has several significant defects, the most important being that it is inconstant and nonspecific. Langerhans cells and indeterminate cells are the only dendritic cells in the epidermis which have Ia antigens on their surface. We have adapted an indirect immunofluorescence method to stain this population of cells in epidermal sheets. The technique is sensitive, specific, and can be used to identify and quantify Langerhans cells in human or murine epidermal sheets.