Masanori Shinzato

Differentiation of Langerhans Cells from Interdigitating Cells Using CD1a and S-100 Protein Antibodies

The present study shows that Langerhans cells can be differentiated from interdigitating cells at the light microscopic level. Superficial lymph nodes and skin taken from necropsies and the lymph nodes of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy (DPL) were used for this experiment. Sections of lymph node and skin were embedded using the acetone, methyl benzoate and xylene (AMeX) method and dendritic cells were immunostained with anti S-100 protein antibody (S-100, and OKT-6 (CD1a) using the restaining method. Langerhans cells in the skin were positive for both CD1a and S-100. Dendritic cells positive for both CD1a and S-100, and dendritic cells positive for S-100, but not for CD1a were observed in superficial lymph nodes. In normal superficial lymph nodes, there were more interdigitating cells than Langerhans cells. The majority of the dendritic cells in the DPL were Langerhans cells. We conclude that the S-100 and CD1a positive cells are Langerhans cells, and the S-100 positive-CD1a negative cells are interdigitating cells.

Studies on Intranuclear Inclusions and Nuclear Grooves in Papillary Thyroid Cancer by Light, Scanning Electron and Transmission Electron Microscopy

OBJECTIVE To successively examine intranuclear inclusions and nuclear grooves in the same papillary thyroid cancer specimens using a light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). STUDY DESIGN We stained cells by the Papanicolaou method after fixation in 1.25% glutaraldehyde for LM and then attempted to observe them successively by SEM-TEM after fixation in 2% paraformaldehyde and 2% osmium tetroxide. RESULTS On SEM, intranuclear inclusions were observed as elevated parts, like hills, and nuclear grooves were observed as deep fissures or shallow cracks, sometimes with a few in one cell. On TEM, both intranuclear inclusions and nuclear grooves seemed formed by the nuclear membranes. Intranuclear inclusions also possessed cytoplasm and/or cytoplasmic organelles within some expanded areas in the nuclear grooves. CONCLUSION It was evident from our three-step technique that intranuclear inclusions and nuclear grooves were essentially the same structures.

Migration and maturation of Langerhans cells in squamous metaplasia of the rat trachea induced by vitamin A deficiency

SummaryThe migration and maturation of Langerhans cells (LCs) in rat tracheal squamous metaplasia due to vitamin A deficiency were investigated immunohisto-chemically and electron microscopically. In the early stage of metaplasia, i.e. basal cell hyperplasia, no LCs with Birbeck granules (BGs) could be found, but there were desmosome-free cells which had the morphological charcteristics of immature LCs. They were clearly different from inflammatory cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes, and were, therefore, considered to be precursors of LCs. In the stage of stratification, small numbers of Ia-and protein kinase C type II (PKCII)-positive cells were recognized. Ultrastructually they were immature LCs with ovoid nuclei, many free ribosomes and few dendrites. The cytoplasm was dark and a few BGs and atypical granules (AGs) could be seen in the Golgi area. In the early stage of cornification, LCs with partially intended nuclei, prominent nucleoli and well-developed Golgi complexes were found. There were many BGs and AGs and structures transitional between them in the Golgi areas. In epithelium showing mature squamous metaplasia, many Ia-and PKCII-positive dendritic cells could be seen. Most of these were typical mature LCs with lobulated nuclei, clear cytoplasm and prominent dendritic processes. The number of BGs and AGs was fewer than in the LCs found in the early stage of cornification, and these granules were distributed throughout the cytoplasm. In the final stage, where the basal cells had differentiated into a flatter epithelium, few LCs could be seen. These findings suggest that the precursors of LCs without BGs migrate into metaplastic squamous epithelium and mature into LCs forming BGs after exposure to the microenvironment of the squamous epithelium.

Composite tumor of mucinous cystadenoma and somatostatinoma of the kidney.

Abstract  Approximately 30 cases of carcinoid tumor of the kidney have been reported in the English literature, including three cases found as components of teratomas. Renal composite tumors associated with somatostatinoma have not been described. A 53‐year‐old female presented with an incidentally found right renal cystic lesion. Computed tomography demonstrated a cystic lesion associated with a solid nodule in the right kidney and postcontrast dynamic MRI revealed enhancement of the solid nodule. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy for the kidney lesion and is now well without recurrence 21 months after the operation. From the histopathological findings we diagnosed the cystic lesion as a composite tumor composed of mucinous cystadenoma and carcinoid tumor. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the majority of cells of in carcinoid portion to be positive for antisomatostatin staining. The present case is the first documented composite tumor of mucinous cystadenoma and somatostatinoma of the kidney.

Langerhans cells in the lymph node : mirror section and immunoelectron microscopic studies

SummaryCells immunostained with antibodies against both OKT-6 and S-100 protein were observed only in superficial and hilar lymph nodes draining tissues with predominantly squamous epithelia. In contrast, in mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen, only S-100 protein-positive, but OKT-6-negative cells were found. We suspect that the S-100 and OKT-6-positive cells might be Langerhans cells (LC) and the S-100-positive, OKT-6-negative cells, interdigitating reticulum cells (IDC). We further postulate that the LC in superficial and hilar lymph nodes might migrate from squamous epithelia, with which contact is required for the formation of Birbeck granules.

Solitary neurofibroma: an uncommon location

Common subungual tumors include fibrokeratoma, Koene’s tumor, glomus tumor, epidermoid cyst, Bowen’s disease and squamous cell carcinoma. 1 Solitary neurofibromas in this area are rare. Subungual neurofibromas normally grow without obvious symptoms. As nails conceal subungual tumors, only a proportion of these tumors are visible. We suggest that subungual neurofibromas might have been underreported. A rare case of solitary subungual neurofibroma not associated with von Recklinghausen’s disease is reported. Only a few cases of solitary neurofibroma have previously been reported in the literature. Other cases of this tumor might go unnoticed due to lack of symptoms.

Do epidermal Langerhans cells, migrating from skin lesions, induce the paracortical hyperplasia of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy?

In the present study, immunohlstochemical and Immuno‐electron microscopic techniques were used to differentiate Langerhans cells (LC) from interdigitating cells (IDC) in the lymph nodes (LN) of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy. The majority of the dendritic cells that existed In the LN of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy were positive for OKT‐6 (CD la) antibody. It was concluded that these dendritic cells were not IDC, but LC. Electron microscopically, LC In these LN contained a few Blrbeck granules (BG). In order to prove the fact that these dendritic cells were LC, the existence of BG was investigated ultrastructurally by examining serial sections, and Immunoelectron microscopically for CD 1a positive cells. Most of the LC in the lymph nodes we examined were negative for the anti‐prollferating nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody. This finding may mean that LC in the LN are fully developed cells and do not divide In the LN. Langer‐hana cells may migrate from the skin lesions to the paracortical areas in the LN, which then may become enlarged.

A light and electron microscopic study of the mouse visceral yolk sac endodermal cells in the middle and late embryonic periods, showing the possibility of definitive erythropoiesis

Hematological studies have revealed the importance of the visceral yolk sac (VYS) in the primitive erythropoiesis of mouse embryos at an early stage before day 12. We examined the possibility of the occurrence of extra-embryonic erythropoiesis at a stage later than embryonic day 12 by light and electron microscopic analyses. Surprisingly, a novel structure in the form of erythrocyte-like globules was observed in the VYS endodermal cells. They were consistently present in the VYS endodermal cells from embryonic day 12 until day 18 (birth is day 19), by immunocytochemical and enzyme histochemical analyses. They were immuno-positive for mouse erythrocyte antibody and also positive for the benzidine reaction showing the presence of hemoglobin. The erythrocyte-like globules were shown to be the erythrocytes present in the cytoplasm. These results indicated that erythropoiesis in the VYS endodermal cells continues from the early embryonic stage, as primitive erythropoiesis, until the late stage.

It is true that, when Langerhans cells migrate from the skin to the lymph node, they are transported via lymph vessels.

Background: Generally, Langerhans cells deliver antigen information from the skin to the draining lymph nodes via lymph vessels. Methods: By immunohistopathology, we investigated the delivery route of Langerhans cells in human skin using CD1a and S-100 protein antibodies. Results: We noted CD1a- and S-100-positive Langerhans cells in the lymph vessels of the dermis. These were shaped like dendritic cells and presented with some lymphocytes, melanophages, melanin granules and lymph in the same vessels. Conclusion: These observations support the concept that Langerhans cells deliver antigen peptides to regional lymph nodes via afferent lymph vessels.

Immunological cell situation in the skin of atopic model mice.

Background  We observed nishikinezumi, cinnamon‐coloured (NC)/Fujita (F) mice aged between 5 and 28 weeks. These NC mice have skin eruptions that resemble human atopic dermatitis (AD) under conventional circumstances.