Células de Langerhans, células dendríticas convencionales y células de Merkel: funciones e implicaciones clínicas

Abstract

 Langerhans cells, dendritic cells and Merkel cells: functions and clinical implications

Summary: The skin plays a crucial role in the body's defense, not only as a mechanical barrier but also as an active component of the immune system. It is populated by diverse immune cells that protect the body from external and internal agents. Among these, dendritic cells, especially Langerhans cells, are essential for antigen presentation and the activation of immune responses. The immune system is composed of two parts: innate immunity, which provides a rapid response to pathogens, and adaptive immunity, which is slower but generates immunological memory. Both systems work in synergy, where the activation of the innate system facilitates the adaptive response. Dendritic cells develop from myeloid and lymphoid precursors and are essential for antigen presentation to T lymphocytes. Langerhans cells, which reside in the epidermis, are a specialized type of dendritic cell that form a network in the skin and are key in the induction of immunological tolerance. Merkel cells are also an important cell group in the epidermis that have a neuroendocrine function. They also share some characteristics with Langerhans cells, particularly their location, connections to free nerve endings called immunological synapses, and neuropeptide synthesis.

Key words: Langerhans cells, dendritic cells, cutaneous immunity, antigen presentation, antigen-presenting cells, innate immune response, adaptive immune response.