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Published on: March 25, 2020
Studies on the repopulation of Langerhans cells in partial-thickness wounds. Air exposed and occlusively dressed
T Helfman1, J W Streilein, W H Eaglstein
1Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Insights
Occlusive dressings accelerate Langerhans cell (LC) repopulation in healing wounds compared to air-exposed wounds. This suggests occlusive dressings significantly enhance immune cell recovery during epidermal regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing Research
- Immunodermatology
Background:
- Occlusive dressings promote wound healing, including epithelization and connective tissue regeneration.
- Langerhans cells (LC) are crucial for epidermal homeostasis.
- The role of LC repopulation in different wound healing environments is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rate of Langerhans cell repopulation in partial-thickness wounds under occlusive dressings versus air-exposed conditions.
- To compare the efficacy of occlusive dressings in promoting LC recovery during epidermal regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Partial-thickness wounds were created on pigs and treated with occlusive dressings (Tegaderm) or left air-exposed.
- Epidermal sheets were collected on days 3, 5, 7, and 11 post-wounding.
- Langerhans cells were identified and quantified using indirect immunofluorescence staining.
Main Results:
- Occlusive-dressed wounds showed 46% LC repopulation by day 3.
- Air-exposed wounds required until day 5 for LC evaluation post-epithelization.
- By day 11, LC populations in occlusive-dressed wounds reached 91% of normal values, significantly higher than air-exposed wounds.
Conclusions:
- Occlusive dressings significantly enhance Langerhans cell repopulation in regenerating epidermis.
- The rate of epidermal repair and early blood vessel growth appear to have a limited impact on LC migration.
- Findings suggest occlusive dressings are beneficial for restoring immune surveillance in healing wounds.
Background And Design:
The use of occlusive dressings on partial-thickness wounds has been shown to promote early epithelization and connective tissue regeneration. Because Langerhans cells (LC) have been implicated in epidermal homeostasis we studied the rate of repopulation of LC in air-exposed vs occlusively dressed wounds. Partial-thickness wounds on the backs of pigs were treated with occlusive dressings (Tegaderm) for 3 days or left air exposed. On days 3, 5, 7, and 11 after keratome wounding, epidermal sheets from the regenerating wounds were isolated and stained for LC using indirect immunofluorescence. The LC populations were quantified in the interfollicular regions and expressed as average number of cells per square millimeter of epidermis.
Results:
Normal skin control had 1024 +/- 93 LC/mm2 distributed uniformly. On day 3 after wounding occlusive-dressing-treated wounds had an LC repopulation of 46% of the original value. Langerhans cells in air-exposed skin could not be evaluated until epithelization occurred at day 5. Langerhans cells in both air-exposed and occlusive-dressing-treated wounds were 46% to 51%, 65% to 71%, and 91% of normal value, respectively, on days 5, 7, and 11.
Conclusions:
We conclude that at least in regenerating epidermis, the degree of repair of the new epidermis apparently plays a limited role in the migration of LC, as does the earlier growth of blood vessels.
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