Antigenic profile of human acrosyringium

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Abstract
Summary The demonstration of HLA-DR on human acrosyringium has led to the suggestion that eccrine epithelium, through its interaction with certain molecules, might play an active role in epidermal immune responses. An immunohistochemical study was undertaken to identify the antigenic profile of acrosyringium in normal skin and following the intradermal administration of a T-lymphocyte-derived cytokine, interferon gamma (TFN-γ). Acrosyringium in normal skin, in contrast to interappendageal epidermis, was found to lack CDla+ Langerhans cells. However, antigens CD36 (OKM5) and Ll (MAC387) were uniquely expressed by keratinocytes immediately adjacent to the distal portion of acrosyringium. Constitutive expression of each class II MHC antigen, namely HLA-DR, DP and DQ was observed on luminal acrosyringial cells. EBMl 1 antigen (CD68), a mononucler cell determinant, was similarly expressed on acrosyringial epithelium in normal skin. Following intradermal administration of IFN-γ. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-I) (CD54) was induced on acrosyringial epithelium and the expression of HLA-DR was intensified. A range of other markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, CDl la, CDl l b and CDl5 were not expressed by acrosyringium either in normal skin or after administration of IFN-γ. Expression of antigens associated with cell-mediated immune mechanisms on acrosyringium is consistent with the hypothesis that it may have an immunological role in epidermal immune responses.