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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
Topical retinoic acid inhibits changes in Langerhans cell density during carcinogenesis
1Department of Dermatology, University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, N.S.W., Australia.
Abstract:
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR), chemical carcinogens and contact sensitisers all reduce the density of Langerhans cells (LC) in murine epidermis; UVR also lowers the number of Thy-1 dendritic epidermal cells (Thy-1+ dEC). Topical application of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) renders these cells insensitive to UVR and the tumour promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) but does not inhibit LC migration from the epidermis in response to a contact sensitiser. Additionally, when the diet of mice was supplemented with the retinoid temarotene, UVR was unable to reduce the number of LC or Thy-1+ dEC. Hence one of the anti-carcinogenic mechanisms of retinoids may be to protect LC from carcinogens.
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