Transepithelial elimination of elastic fibres in the regenerated human epidermis

The elimination of elastic fibres through the regenerated epidermis of human skin was studied using histochemical, immunofluorescent and electron microscopic techniques. No abnormality was detected in the elastic fibres which were being eliminated, but they were in direct contact with the cytomembranes of some lymphocytes and were captured by histiocytes. It seemed that these elastic fibres were recognized as a foreign substance and provoked inflammation. Lymphocytes and histiocytes may play an important role in the transepithelial elimination of elastic fibres.