The effect of stripping treatment with cellophane tape on induction of contact sensitivity (CS) to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was studied in inbred JY1 strain guinea pigs in order to determine whether Langerhans cells (LC) are relevant to production of CS. Tape stripping of ear skin achieved, to a considerable degree but not absolutely, depletion of epidermal LC, as measured by cell surface of LC dedetcted by ATPase staining. However, pretreatment of tape stripping on the induction site of contact sensitization with DNCB did not diminish the rate and intensity of challenge reactions to DNCB
