Langerhans Cells—Revising Their Role in Skin Pathologies

Abstract

Langerhans cells (LCs) constitute a cellular immune network across the epidermis. Because they are located at the skin barrier, they are considered immune sentinels of the skin. These antigen-presenting cells are capable of migrating to skin draining lymph nodes to prime adaptive immune cells, namely T- and B-lymphocytes, which will ultimately lead to a broad range of immune responses. Moreover, LCs have been shown to possess important roles in the anti-cancer immune responses. Indeed, the literature nicely highlights the role of LCs in melanoma. In line with this, LCs have been found in melanoma tissues where they contribute to the local immune response. Moreover, the immunogenic properties of LCs render them attractive targets for designing vaccines to treat melanoma and autoimmune diseases. Overall, future studies will help to enlarge the portfolio of immune properties of LCs, and aid the prognosis and development of novel therapeutic approaches to treating skin pathologies, including cancers.