The Histomorphogenetic Relationship between Melanocytes and Langerhans Cells in Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratomas

Objective: The purpose of this study was to form a view about the existence, numerical relationship and embryological origin of melanocytes and Langerhans cells when they are found together in mature cystic teratomas which have similar cell types and architectural structure to the original vertebrated body. Methods: Forty five mature cystic teratomas cases, diagnosed in the Ministry of Health Istanbul Education and Research Hospital Pathology Department between 2006-2009 were included in the study. Immunohistochemically, Human Melanoma Black-45 (HMB-45) and Melanoma Antigens (Melan-A) recognized by T cells-1) for melanocytes, Cluster of Differentiation 1a (CD1a) and Langerin for Langerhans cells were applied. Results: Although Langerhans cells were detected in 100%, melanocytes were established in 88.2% of cases. Conclusion: According to our study, Langerhans cells could derive from another source except the neural crest where melanocytes evolve and there is no relationship between them