S‐100 immunolabelling of Langerhans cells in oral epithelium

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Abstract
Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells usually present in the suprabasal regions of squamous epithelia remarkable by the presence of Fc IgG and C, receptors. Ia/Dr, T-6 and T-4 antigens on their membranes. Conventional and immunohistochemical techniques for identification of LCs require special fixation procedures and for incompatible with paraffin embedding. A method for staining LCs, in routine fixed and paraffin-embedded material, based on the use of antiserum against S-100 proteins is presented. The problem arising from the simultaneous staining of melanocytes is discussed. S-100 positive dendritic cells should be considered as LCs when fulfilling 3 criteria: (1) located in the suprabasal layers of the epithelium; (2) the whole cell body being visible; (3) with at least one dendritic process.