Precursors of Langerhans cells found

Miriam Merad et al., Mount Sinai School of Medicine found precursors of Langerhans cells and identidied a protein essential for their transformation. These cells transport antigens from skin to lymph nodes to present them and are replaced by Gr-1 monocytes, as they report.

This discovery could improve immunotherapy treatment: "Now that we know which cells are the precursors to Langerhans cells and the importance of Csf-1, we may be able to enhance tumor vaccines by increasing the recruitment of Langerhans cell precursors to the skin," Merad says.

I remember my histology textbook, in which we had read, that origin and function of Langerhans cells remains unclear. I'm not quite sure that impact of Merad's paper will strike my histology teacher.

Watch Nature Immunology for more information.