Langerhans cells express human β-defensin 3: relevance for immunity during skin ageing

Ageing and immunosenescence are associated with an increased susceptibility to skin infections and skin cancers. Epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) survey the skin microenvironment for pathogens and tumour cells and migrate to lymph nodes to present antigen. In humans there are fewer epidermal LC in aged as compared with young skin and their migration is reduced in response to trauma and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. We have also shown that interleukin (IL)-1β gene expression is reduced in aged skin and that LC migration is restored by exogenous IL-1β. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.