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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Isolating And Immunostaining Lymphocytes and Dendritic Cells from Murine Peyer's Patches
Published on: March 17, 2013
Intraepithelial lymphocytes and Langerhans cells in the oral mucosa--dynamic aspects
1University of Tübingen, Germany.
Insights
Oral epithelium contains lymphocytes and Langerhans cells that actively move within tissues. These immunocompetent cells show signs of locomotion and interaction, with similar behavior observed in both murine and human oral mucosa.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oral Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The oral epithelium harbors a consistent population of non-epithelial immunocompetent cells, including lymphocytes and Langerhans cells.
- Understanding the behavior and interactions of these cells within the oral mucosa is crucial for comprehending local immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural characteristics and migratory behavior of lymphocytes and Langerhans cells within the oral epithelium.
- To compare the morphology and locomotion of these cells in murine and human oral mucosa.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural photographic documentation of 3025 murine and 542 human oral mucosal cells.
- Analysis of cell location, signs of locomotion, membrane configuration, and intercellular substance labeling with ruthenium red.
Main Results:
- Approximately 40% of lymphocytes and 70% of Langerhans cells exhibited signs of locomotion, primarily laterally and basally.
- Occasional cells were observed crossing the basal lamina, indicating potential transmigration.
- Cellular interactions were suggested by close apposition, denticulated surfaces, and desmosome lysis; ruthenium red labeling indicated a continuous glycocalyx.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocytes and Langerhans cells are motile within the oral epithelium, engaging in cellular interactions.
- The continuous glycocalyx suggests uniform antigen distribution and no preformed spaces for these intraepithelial cells.
- No significant differences were found in the behavior of murine and human intraepithelial cells.
Abstract:
In the oral epithelium a constant population of non-epithelial immunocompetent cells--lymphocytes and Langerhans cells exists. 3025 such cells of the murine and 542 of the normal human oral mucosa were documented photographically at the ultrastructural level. Location within the epithelium, morphological signs of locomotion, membrane configuration and labeling of the intercellular substance by ruthenium red were registered. About 40 per cent of the lymphocytes and 70 per cent of the Langerhans cells show signs of locomotion, predominantly in a lateral and basal direction. Occasional cells crossing the basal lamina are seen. Close apposition, or rarely a denticulated surface and lysis of desmosomes were present, both probably indications of cellular interactions. Ruthenium red labeling of the glycocalix is continuous forming a homogeneous layer between epithelial and non-epithelial cells and between intraepithelial cells, suggesting an even distribution of antigens and the lack of preformed spaces for intraepithelial cells. Murine and human intraepithelial cells exhibited no major differences.
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