Langerhans cells in autosomal dominant ichthyosis vulgaris.

Five patients with autosomal dominant ichthyosis vulgaris (ADI) were studied to see whether the abnormal keratinization was associated with disturbances of the appearance or the distribution of epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs). The LCs were identified by ATPase staining and electron microscopy. They were present in normal numbers, were of normal morphology and were in their usual mid-epidermal position. These observations do not support the hypothesis that LCs are involved directly in the process of keratinization.