Depletion of langerin+ cells enhances cutaneous wound healing.

Langerin is a C-type lectin receptor that is expressed on Langerhans cells and langerin positive dermal dendritic cells in the skin. Little is known about the function of langerin+ cells in wound healing. In this study the effects of ablation of langerin+ cells on healing of a full-thickness excision wound were investigated using the langerin-DTR depletable mouse. Strikingly, depletion of langerin+ cells resulted in more rapid reduction in wound area. Accelerated wound healing in the langerin+ cell depleted group was characterized by enhanced neo-epidermis and granulation tissue formation, and increased cellular proliferation within the newly formed tissues. Accelerated healing in the absence of langerin+ cells was associated with increased levels of GM-CSF, F4/80+ cells and blood vessels within the granulation tissue. These data support an inhibitory role for langerin+ cells during wound healing. Therapies that suppress langerin+ cells or their function may therefore have utility in progressing the healing of wounds in humans.