Changes in Epidermal Langerhans Cells Following the Tuberculin Reaction in Guinea Pigs
Changes in Langerhans cells (LCs) with the tuberculin reaction were studied using EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) separation and ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) staining techniques in guinea pig epidermis following intradermal PPD injections. The densities of ATPase positive LCs decreased significantly (p<0.001) from 24 hours to 7 days after injection with a maximum decrease at 72 hours. In addition, these cells became rather swollen or enlarged and lost their characteristic dendritic processes. The significance of these changes is discussed.
