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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
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Flat Mount Imaging of Mouse Skin and Its Application to the Analysis of Hair Follicle Patterning and Sensory Axon Morphology
Published on: June 25, 2014
The Langerhans cell in hairless mouse epidermis
Scanning Electron Microscopy
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Hairless mouse epidermis revealed a large, evenly distributed population of Langerhans cells. Melanocytes were found to be significantly less numerous in this model of skin.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The epidermis contains specialized immune cells like Langerhans cells and pigment-producing melanocytes.
- Understanding the distribution and density of these cells is crucial for studying skin immunity and pigmentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and relative abundance of Langerhans cells and melanocytes in hairless mouse epidermis.
- To characterize Langerhans cells using morphological and specific enzymatic/antigenic markers.
Main Methods:
- Separation of epidermis from dermis using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
- Microscopic examination using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and light microscopy (LM).
- Immunohistochemical staining for Langerhans cell markers (ATPase, beta-glucuronidase, la antigens) and melanocyte marker (DOPA-oxidase).
Main Results:
- Langerhans cells were observed as protruding dendritic cells superficial to the basal epidermis.
- Transmission electron microscopy and ATPase staining confirmed the identity and specificity of Langerhans cells.
- A high density and even distribution of Langerhans cells were noted in the interfollicular epidermis and outer root sheath.
- Melanocyte density was found to be very low (4-5 cells/mm²).
Conclusions:
- Hairless mouse epidermis exhibits a substantial and uniformly distributed Langerhans cell population.
- The melanocyte population in this model is comparatively sparse.
- This model may be suitable for studies focusing on Langerhans cell function due to their abundance.
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