Distribution of major histocompatibility antigens in normal skin

    December 1983 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”
    Terence J. Harrist, D. J. Ruiter, Martín C. Mihm, A K Bhan
    TLDR Major histocompatibility antigens are found in specific skin cells and structures, but not in sweat glands.
    The study investigated the distribution of major histocompatibility antigens in normal skin using immunoperoxidase and avidin-biotin methods. HLA and beta 2-microglobulin were found on basal and spinous keratinocytes, the outer root sheath of hair follicles, and sebaceous duct epithelium. Ia-positive dendritic cells were more frequent in the infundibulum and isthmus of hair follicles. HLA and beta 2m were prominent in the lower portion of the straight eccrine duct, with less intense staining in the superficial duct. The acrosyringial epithelium showed strong Ia-positivity, decreasing as the duct penetrated the dermis. No HLA or Ia antigens were found in eccrine and apocrine glands, though eccrine glands were slightly beta 2m-positive. HLA and beta 2m were consistently present in intradermal apocrine ducts.
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