Stratum spinosum: Langerhans cell

Langerhans cells serve as antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis and are most commonly seen in the stratum spinosum.  Langerhans cells are involved in antimicrobial immunity, skin immunosurveillance and the induction phase of contact hypersensitivity.  Langerhans cells have an irregular nucleus, a clear cytoplasm and numerous tendril-like dendritic processes. 15,000x

Langerhans cells serve as antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis and are most commonly seen in the stratum spinosum.  Langerhans cells are involved in antimicrobial immunity, skin immunosurveillance and the induction phase of contact hypersensitivity.  Langerhans cells have an irregular nucleus, a clear cytoplasm and numerous tendril-like dendritic processes. 15,000x

The irregular, indented nucleus reflects the monocyte/macrophage lineage of Langerhans cells.