Background. It has already been demonstrated that UV light is able to induce antigenic changes in Langherans cells (LC) and the skin LC depletion after single or serial exposures.
In a previous study we have shown in human volunteers that visible light (VIS) cause a 70% depletion of human epidermal LC defined by monoclonal antobody (LEU 6) after a VIS dose corresponding to a solar exposure of 2 hours during the summer at our latitude.
Besides, we have shown in mice that VIS causes a membrane markers depletion at does of 100 J/cm2 and a complete depletion at a dose of 700 J/cm2. The electron microscopic analysis showed a destruction of these cells.
Material and methods. In this study, the time course of the epidermis recolonization after a VIS irradiation of 700 J/cm2 inducing the complete depletion of the epidermis LC, has been analyzed.
Balb/c mice were exposed after depilation to the VIS irradiation and the biopsy punch were done each day for 8 days.
Results and conclusions. Results show that epidermis LC become to be detectable 48 hours after VIS irradiation and a complete recolonization occurs after 7 days
