Mast cell/Langerhans’ cell interactions in human skin
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mast cell/Langerhans’ cell interactions in human skin
IRAS ID
116633
Contact name
C. Elise Kleyn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Research summary
Skin is the interface between humans and their environment, as such it is subjected to constant bombardment by potential allergens. In this research we will focus on the interaction between two types of specialist immune cells found in the skin, mast cells and the Langerhans’ cells. Mast cells serve several functions in human skin: they are involved in allergy; inflammation; defence against infection; itch and the skin’s response to stress. Mast cells can be ‘activated’ by a huge number of substances, either by a direct pharmacological action or by an allergic mechanism (immediate (Type I) hypersensitivity reaction). Upon activation the mast cell releases multiple substances, which cause itch, increased blood flow (vasodilation) and fluid leak from small blood vessels into the tissue (oedema). A response often referred to as a wheal (oedema) and flare (vasodilation) reaction, or more commonly as hives. Langerhans’ cells are found in the upper layer of the skin, they have ‘arm-like’ projections, which interlock with those from adjacent cells to form a network ideally suited for sampling information (antigens/allergens) from the external environment. After trapping antigens they move from the skin to the lymph glands where they present them to other specialist immune cells (t-cells), which triggers an appropriate immune response. Skin prick tests with histamine are often used in studies as a surrogate for mast cell activation and will be utilised for this purpose in this study. It is not known what effect mast cell activation has on Langerhans’ cell migration (movement) in this study we will investigate this interaction. It may also shed further light on the skin’s response to psychological stress.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0364
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion