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Polyclonal T-cells express CD1a in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions
Jennifer A West1, Sharon L Olsen1, Jenée M Mitchell1
1Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; School of Health Sciences, Federation University, Mt Helen, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Researchers discovered CD1a-expressing T-cells in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions, challenging the belief that only Langerhans cells (LCs) express CD1a. This finding may impact understanding of LCH pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a complex disorder with inflammatory and neoplastic features.
- CD1a expression is a hallmark of LCH, traditionally associated solely with pathogenic Langerhans cells (LCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular expression of CD1a within LCH lesions.
- To determine if CD1a expression is restricted to LCs in LCH.
Main Methods:
- Eight-colour flow cytometry was utilized to analyze cell populations in LCH lesions.
Main Results:
- A previously unreported population of CD1a-positive and CD3-positive T-cells was identified in LCH lesions.
- CD1a expression was detected on various T-cell subsets across all examined LCH lesions.
- This indicates CD1a expression is not exclusive to pathogenic LCs in LCH.
Conclusions:
- CD1a expression in LCH lesions is broader than previously understood, involving T-cells.
- The presence of CD1a-expressing T-cells necessitates further research into their role in LCH pathogenesis.
Abstract:
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a complex and poorly understood disorder that has characteristics of both inflammatory and neoplastic disease. By using eight-colour flow cytometry, we have identified a previously unreported population of CD1a(+)/CD3(+) T-cells in LCH lesions. The expression of CD1a is regarded as a hallmark of this disease; however, it has always been presumed that it was only expressed by pathogenic Langerhans cells (LCs). We have now detected CD1a expression by a range of T-cell subsets within all of the LCH lesions that were examined, establishing that CD1a expression in these lesions is no longer restricted to pathogenic LCs. The presence of CD1a(+) T-cells in all of the LCH lesions that we have studied to date warrants further investigation into their biological function to determine whether these cells are important in the pathogenesis of LCH.
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