Alterations in Langerhans cells during growth of transplantable murine tumors.

To investigate the response of Langerhans cells to tumor growth, we examined the appearance and number of ATPase+ and Ia+ dendritic cells in the epidermis covering subcutaneous tumors. Mice were injected with cells from syngeneic UVB- and PUVA-induced tumors and a melanoma, and the overlying skin was examined at various times during progressive tumor growth. An increase in the number of ATPase+ and Ia+ dendritic cells was observed in skin over all three tumor types. Morphologic alterations in the cells were also noted, including a decrease in dendricity. These changes were apparent only in skin directly over growing tumor masses; contralateral and perilesional skin was unaffected. Injection of nontumorigenic cells and implantation of silicon did not induce changes in Langerhans cells. Regression of highly antigenic tumor cells and tumor regression in immunized mice were not accompanied by detectable alterations in Langerhans cells, whereas changes in Langerhans cells were apparent during tumor growth in nude mice. These results demonstrate that changes in the number and morphology of Langerhans cells occur in response to tumor growth but that the changes are not dependent on immunologic or inflammatory responses.