Summary
As the interface organ between the body and the external environment, the skin is
predestined to have frequent and intensive contact with pathogens and therefore possesses
a particularly well-developed immunological defence. The immune system protects the
body’s integrity with innate components such as the skin’s physicochemical barrier
function, the phagocytic cells and the complement system. The network of Langerhans
dendritic cells in the epidermis allows immediate detection and rapid transport of
antigen material to the regional lymph nodes and the triggering of a specific immune
response by T and B cells. For immunological processes, the passage through the lymphatic
system is decisive, as diverse interactions occur between cells and the lymphatic
system. On the one hand, the interaction of dendritic receptors with antigenic structures
triggers intracellular signals, allowing migration through the lymphatic system to
the lymph node via chemokines and chemokine receptors. On the other hand, the Langerhans
dendritic cells alter their own phenotype during migration through the lymphatic system:
they lose their ability to phagocytise in favour of the increased synthesis of MHC
molecules and become antigen-presenting cells.
Keywords
Epidermis - Langerhans dendritic cells - lymphatic system - antigen-presenting cell
