Langerhans cells in the epithelium of the bovine forestomach: their role in the primary immune response.

Dendritic, migratory, lymphoid cells identical to the Langerhans cells of the epidermis, have been found in the epithelium of the bovine forestomach. They also possess the characteristic Langerhans cell granules. It can be assumed that these epithelial lymphocytes, (or Langerhans cells) as has been reported for the epidermal Langerhans cells, are antigen detectors and therefore form the first line of defence in the general immunological response of the body. The author suggests that the Langerhans cells of the forestomach be named epithelial lymphocytes. The existence of Langerhans cell granules has not yet been reported in the epithelial lymphocytes of the true stomach, intestines and respiratory epithelium.