The morphology and distribution of CD1a positive Langerhans cells in normal and squamous cell carcinoma of cervix

Introduction

Langerhans cells (LCs), a type of dendritic cells are the professional antigen presenting cells present in the mucosa surfaces. They play an important role in antitumor immune response. The present study aims to find out the morphology and distribution of CD1a positive LCs in normal and squamous cell carcinoma of cervix.

Methods

Twenty two normal and eleven ectocervical specimens with squamous cell carcinoma were processed for immunohistochemistry and stained with monoclonal mouse anti-human CD1a (Dako, USA). The morphology of CD1a positive LCs was studied using Olympus BX43 microscope. Morphometric analysis was done using Cellsens imaging analysing software.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference in the number of LCs between normal (8 ± 2.76) and squamous cell carcinoma of cervix (5.36 ± 2.88). In the region of lymphatic infiltration both in epithelium and lamina propria, there were more number of LCs and most of the cells lost their dendritic processes in squamous cell carcinoma. 31.77% of the cells had no dendritic processes. The difference in the mean diameters of LCs was statistically significant (p = 0.005) between normal and squamous cell carcinoma of cervix.

Discussion

Fewer number of CD1a positive LCs and their loss of dendritic processes in the squamous cell carcinoma of cervix compared to normal cervix indicate that immune responses are suppressed in patients with cancer.