PARASITISM OF ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS IN HYPERBACILLARY LEPROSY

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (3) , 611-617
Abstract
Full thickness skin biopsies from 4 patients with borderline lepromatous leprosy (BL leprosy) have were examined. Immunohistological techniques were employed to analyze the nonlymphoid mononuclear cells present in the dermal infiltrates associated with the BL lesions. This analysis was performed using 3 monoclonal antibodies, RFD2 (recognizing macrophages) RFD1 (recognizing intedigitating cells) and NA1/34 (recognizing Langerhans cells). It was found that the vast majority of nonlymphoid mononuclear cells in the lesions were RFD2+ macrophages. A significant number (15-30%) of macrophage-like cells were RFD1+ interdigitating cells. A very small number of NA1/34+ Langerhans cells were also identified within the dermal infiltrates. Combination immunohistology and Ziehl Neelsen staining revealed that all these cell types could be found containing the Mycobacterium leprae organisms. The proportions of parasitized cells within each subpopulation was equivalent to the overall proportion of each cell type within the infiltrate. The significance of parasitism of cell types thought to be involved in antigen presentation and induction of immune responses is discussed.