Morphological Features of Langerhans' Cells in Lesions of Condyloma Acuminatum

Objective To investigate the morphological features of Langerhans' cells(LCs)in condyloma acuminatum(CA)lesions.Methods CD1a+ LCs in 13 CA lesions and in 13 normal controls were labeled using immunohistochemistry and examined under light microscopy.Ultrastructural investigation on LCs in 6 CA lesions and in 6 normal controls was performed by electron microscopy.Results Compared with those in normal controls,most CD1a+ LCs in CA lesions exhibited dysplastic dendrities and abnormal distribution.The number of CD1a+ LCs in CA lesions(26.31±18.84)was statistically lower(P0.001)than that in normal controls(72.00±27.40).Electron microscopy revealed that the number of Birbeck granules within lesional LCs(4.00±2.94)was significantly decreased(P0.001)than that in normal LCs(10.80±4.78).The ultrastructures of most lesional LCs displayed degenerative changes.Conclusion In CA lesions,the number of CD1a+ LCs was significantly decreased and the morphology of most LCs show degenerative changes,which suggest that these LCs have been functionally impaired.