Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are considered to be initiators of the allergic reaction, and Langerhans cells and macrophages are APCs found in the human nasal cavity. We studied the distribution of Langerhans cells and macrophages in human laryngeal mucosa.
Mucosal specimens were obtained from four normal larynxes that were resected due to carcinoma of the mesopharynx or oral cavity. Sections were prepared from the epiglottis, vocal cords, subglottis and the arytenoid portion of the larynx. Langerhans cells and macrophages were investigated immunohistochemically using antibody S-100 protein for the Langerhans cells, CD68 for the macrophages, and the antihuman HLA-DR antibody as an MHC-class II antigen.
Langerhans cells were more abundant than macrophages in the epiglottis and arytenoid portions. In contrast, in the subglottis macrophages were more common than Langerhans cells. Few Langerhans cells or macrophages were seen in the mucosa of the vocal cords. MHC-class II antigens were present in most of the Langerhans cells and macrophages.
These findings suggest that Langerhans cells and macrophages function as APCs in the human larynx. Langerhans cells are present in the squamous epithelium of the larynx, except in the vocal cords, and macrophages are present in the ciliated columnar epithlium.
