ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews much of the literature covering CD36 immunoreactive cells in human skin, with emphasis on those which are believed to play a role in the dermal immune system. It summarizes both new and published observations pertaining to these cell types, with emphasis on their tissue distribution and phenotypic heterogeneity. The chapter provides evidence that clinically normal skin harbors only one population of CD36+ epidermal dendritic-shaped cells, and these appear to be related more to neural crest-derived melanocytes than to bone marrow-derived cells. The CD36 antigen also is present on a variety of cell types other than monocytes and macrophages, for example, endothelial cells, epidermal dendritic-shaped cells in normal and inflamed skin, platelets, melanoma cells, and suprabasal keratinocytes (KC) in diseased skin. Full- or split-thickness skin biopsies from clinically normal-appearing areas were obtained during elective surgery under local anesthesia and from autopsy specimens using a dermatome. Epidermal KCs in normal skin from the trunk and limbs typically were CD36-.
