Effects of ultraviolet irradiation on epidermal Langerhans cells in guinea-pigs.

There is good evidence to suggest that u.v. irradiation (UVB) of the skin causes a reduction in the numbers of normal epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) in man and mouse. Little information is available on the effects of u.v. radiation on LC in guinea-pig skin. In this study, different dosages of UVB and UVC were applied to the ear skin of guinea-pigs. UVC irradiations were found more effective than UVB in causing depletions of ATPase-positive epidermal LC. Highly significant depletions, lasting 6 days after irradiation, were produced with little evidence of significant inflammatory reactions occurring in the epidermis.