Abstract: Objective To study the changes in some important surface markers of Langerhans cell (LC) in the skin of SLE patients. Methods The normal-appearing skin and lesional skin of 9 SLE patients were studied. ABC immunohistochemistry and the monoclonal antibodies against HLA-DR, CD54, CD68, CD1a and CD4 were used. Results ①In SLE skin lesions decreased LC density was shown,and there were also changes in the morphology and surface markers of LC. ②HLA-DR expression on keratinocytes was shown in most lesional specimens and a few on non-lesional specimens. ③Neither CD4 nor CD54 expression was shown on both lesional epidermis and non-lesional epidermis, CD4⁺ cells were only observed in the dermal infiltrates. ④Two types of CD68⁺ dendritic cells were seen in lesional and non-lesional epidermis, and more CD68⁺ dendritic cells were seen in the infiltrates of lesional skin. ⑤Fibrillar CD68⁺ materials around the basal KC were observed, and some of such fibrillar materials were connected with epidermal dendritic cells while others were not. Conclusions There are some differences in LC surface marker expression on lesional skin and non-lesional skin of SLE patients, which need to be further studied.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus, systemic, Langerhans cells, Immunophenotyping