Mitotic activities of normal epidermal Langerhans cells.

We have previously reported a sequence of events which occurs during the recovery phase of the murine epidermal Langerhans cells (ELCs) after ultraviolet-B irradiation. We found that an ATPase-positive round cell divides, dendrites are gradually formed, and paired dendritic cells are eventually separated as the post-irradiation time elapses. We wondered if a series of events similar to this might occur in the normal murine epidermis without irradiation. In this study, we could identify exactly the same phases of the ELC mitotic cycle in normal mouse ear skin.