Syngrafting skin among mice of similar and different ages increases the number of Langerhans cells and decreases responsiveness to 1,4-dinitrofluorobenzene.

Abstract

Counting on suction blister skin biopsies, the number of Langerhans cells per mm2 in BALB/c mouse epidermis was found identical in 1-, 11-, and 22-month-old animals, but consistently elevated in syngrafted skin 10 months after transplantation. This effect of grafting was independent of whether young or old skin was transferred to young or old recipients. Skin swelling induced by dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) sensitization was reduced in 22-month-old non-grafted mice and in grafted skin irrespective of donor and recipient age.