Distribution of Langerhans Cells in the Human Esophagus, as Revealed by Immunohistochemistry

Abstract

Our previous report illustrated that the epithelium of the human esophagus has numerous lymphocytes and Langerhans cells with Birbeck granules. In the present study, the distribution of Langerhans cells in the human esophagus was examined immunohistochemically. The human esophageal specimens were obtained by the surgery for esophageal carcinoma with informed consent. The tissue blocks were fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. The thin sections were treated with anti-S-100 protein antibody, placed in IgG-gold (5 nm) solution as a second antibody, and then sensitized with the physical development method. The Langerhans cells, which showed a positive immunoreaction for the S-100, were distributed within the epithelium throughout the esophagus. Their distribution patterns differed according to the region of the esophagus. The Langerhans cells tended to increase in number as they moved further from the oral cavity toward the abdominal part. In this study, it was suggested that they played important roles in the immune response of the human esophagus.

Human Breast Milk and Antiretrovirals Dramatically Reduce Oral HIV-1 Transmission in BLT Humanized Mice

“…These findings are consistent with previous reports which demonstrated reconstitution of the gastrointestinal tract of BLT mice with human target cells for HIV infection [23] , [31] . Although the presence and distribution of these immune cell types in the esophagus, stomach and upper intestine of human infants has not been systematically explored, macrophages, dendritic cells and CD4 + T cells have been identified in the upper GI tract of healthy adults [29] , [32] – [36] . All together, these results demonstrate robust reconstitution of the upper GI tract of BLT mice with human cells highlighting the potential for transmission to occur at these important mucosal sites.…”

A Statistical Evaluation of Uncoupling Protein 1 in the Limited Area of Brown Adipose Tissue by Immunoelectron Microscopy

“…Finally, the samples were dried and stained with distilled water containing 1% methanolic uranyl acetate and 0.08% lead citrate, in the same manner as for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) [19]. The same protocol was also applied in schemes (C and D) using nonspecific IgG as primary or secondary antibodies.…”

“…The immediately prepared physical developer was applied to the serial sections for 28 min at 23˚C. After rinsing in running tap water, the serial sections were counterstained with 0.1% Kernechtrot in 5% aqueous aluminum sulfate, rinsed in running tap water, and dehydrated in an ascending ethanol series (more details can be found in our previous report) [22].…”