Structural and functional relationships between epidermal Langerhans cells and dendritic cells.

Langerhans cells are dendritically shaped MHC-class II-bearing leukocytes which reside in the epidermis. During short-term culture, they develop into cells that are virtually indistinguishable from lymphoid dendritic cells with respect to morphology and phenotype, as well as function. It is hypothesized that Langerhans cells in situ represent immature precursors of dendritic cells.