Langerhans cell alterations in the guinea pig cornea.

Langerhans cells (LC) are found in virtually all epithelial surfaces, but are rare or absent in the central cornea. LC migration into the cornea can be induced by several different stimuli. The authors studied LC in guinea pig corneal epithelium after: (1) suture placement; (2) suture removal; (3) UV-A irradiation; and (4) UV-C irradiation. Corneal LC markedly increased after suture placement during a 35-day observation period, and decreased by one-half during a 21-day observation period when sutures were removed. Suture-induced corneal LC decreased after UV-A irradiation, but increased after UV-C irradiation. These results demonstrate that ocular LC can be altered by nonimmunologic perturbations of the cornea.