Langerhans' Cells in Hair Follicles of the Depigmenting C57Bl/Ler-vit.vit Mouse

The study on C57Bl/Ler-vit vit mice, which lose fur pigmentation over time, aimed to explore the role of Langerhans' cells in the depigmentation process, potentially modeling vitiligo. Researchers quantified Langerhans' cells in various skin areas during and after depigmentation. They found that these cells were normal in number during depigmentation and most numerous after it, suggesting that Langerhans' cells were likely not involved in melanocyte destruction. Additionally, the study noted a higher density of Langerhans' cells in hair follicle epithelium compared to interfollicular skin. These findings indicated that Langerhans' cells were functionally defective and not a contributing factor to depigmentation in these mice.