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Changes of epidermal Langerhans cells in skin treated with trichloroacetic acid
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 15, Number 4, 239-42, July-August 2005, Investigative report
Free Article
Author(s) : Aki Sakai, Yuki Yamamoto, Koji Uede, Fukumi Furukawa
Summary : The changes in Langerhans cells (LCs) from normal human skin peeled with 40 and 60% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or liquid nitrogen, which is known in cryosurgery as a control, were examined using monoclonal antibodies against the CD1a, HLA-DR and Lag in order to examine the immune surveillance system. In the 40% TCA group, the number of CD1a-positive cells decreased gradually until day 7, whereas both HLA-DR- and Lag-positive cells decreased for 12 hours, increased until day 2 and decreased thereafter. In the 60% TCA group, the number of CD1a-, HLA-DR- and Lag-positive cells decreased gradually until day1, increased temporarily until day 2, and decreased again until day 7. There were no significant differences in the decrease of the LCs between the 40% and 60% TCA groups. In both cases the number of LCs on day 7 was statistically lower than before treatment. In the liquid nitrogen group, which served as a control, the LCs decreased gradually and slightly until day 2, and then increased. Taken together, the number of epidermal LCs from TCA-treated skin was reduced more significantly than LCs from liquid nitrogen-treated skin, suggesting a temporary impairment of the skin defense system. Therefore, long-term and frequent TCA peeling will require special attention for potential carcinogenesis.
Keywords : chemical peeling, trichloroacetic acid, Langerhans cells, liquid nitrogen

Changes of epidermal Langerhans cells in skin treated with trichloroacetic acid