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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Examining the Role of Nasopharyngeal-associated Lymphoreticular Tissue (NALT) in Mouse Responses to Vaccines
Published on: August 1, 2012
[Immunohistologic study of the nasal mucosa with reference to Langerhans cells]
R Yoshimi1, H Takamura, K Takasaki
1Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University.
Insights
Langerhans cells are found in squamous epithelium, not ciliated epithelium, in human airways and oral mucosa. Their presence depends on epithelial type, potentially influenced by keratinocyte-derived cytokines.
Area of Science:
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Epithelial Biology
Context:
- Langerhans cells are critical immune cells in mucosal tissues.
- Their distribution varies across different epithelial types.
- Understanding this distribution is key to mucosal immunity.
Purpose:
- To investigate the distribution of Langerhans cells (CD1 positive) in human oral mucosa, nasal mucosa, and nasal polyps.
- To determine if anatomical location or epithelial type dictates Langerhans cell presence.
Summary:
- Langerhans cells were detected via immunohistochemistry using CD1 (OKT6) antibody.
- These cells were present in stratified squamous epithelium (oral mucosa, nasal vestibule, metaplastic epithelium in polyps) but absent in ciliated epithelium (inferior turbinate, ciliated epithelium in polyps).
- Results indicate Langerhans cell presence is determined by epithelial type (squamous vs. ciliated).
Impact:
- This study confirms Langerhans cells are restricted to squamous epithelia.
- It suggests keratinocyte-derived cytokines (IL-1, GM-CSF) may regulate Langerhans cell migration and function.
- Findings contribute to understanding immune cell interactions within mucosal tissues.
Abstract:
The distribution of Langerhans cells in human oral mucosa, nasal mucosa and nasal polyps was studied by means of immunohistochemistry. Our study involved 35 participants. The specimens were frozen to -70 degrees C and sliced at 4 microns with a cryostat. Monoclonal antibodies CD1 (OKT6) and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining method were used to detect Langerhans cells. In the oral mucosa and the nasal vestibule lined with stratified squamous epithelium, CD1 positive cells were observed and these cells were dendric in form. The cells were found mainly from the intermediate layer to the deep layer of the epithelium. In the inferior turbinate lined with ciliated epithelium, we could not find any CD1 positive cells at all. The nasal polyps in some cases had a normal ciliated columnar epithelium while others had metaplastic stratified squamous epithelium. Both types of epithelium in the same polyp were noted on some occasions. In nasal polyps, CD1 positive cells which showed dendric form were found in the metaplastic squamous epithelium only, and could not be observed in the ciliated columnar epithelium at all. Based on the above results, the presence of Langerhans cells is confirmed not by the anatomical location but by the type of epithelium. Langerhans cells could be detected only in the squamous epithelium. Keratinocytes, which constitute the squamous epithelium, are known to release cytokines. IL-1 (interleukin-1) and GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor) released from keratinocytes are thought to influence the viability and function of Langerhans cells. The migration of Langerhans cells into squamous epithelium may be regulated by cytokines released from keratinocytes.
