Characterization of langerhans cells in epidermal sheets along the body of Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).

Armadillos are apparently important reservoirs of Mycobacterium leprae and an animal model for human leprosy, whose immune system has been poorly studied. We aimed at characterizing the armadillo's langerhans cells (LC) using epidermal sheets instead of tissue sections, since the latter restrict analysis only to cut-traversed cells. Epidermal sheets by providing an en face view, are particularly convenient to evaluate dendritic morphology (cells are complete), spatial distribution (regular vs. clustered), and frequency (cell number/tissue area). Lack of anti-armadillo antibodies was overcome using LC-restricted ATPase staining, allowing assessment of cell frequency, cell size, and dendrites extension. Average LC frequency in four animals was 528 LC/mm(2), showing a rather uniform non-clustered distribution, which increased towards the animal's head, while cell size increased towards the tail; without overt differences between sexes. The screening of antibodies to human DC (MHC-II, CD 1a, langerin, CD86) in armadillo epidermal sheets, revealed positive cells with prominent dendritic morphology only with MHC-II and CD86. This allowed us to test DC mobilization from epidermis into dermis under topical oxazolone stimulation, a finding that was corroborated using whole skin conventional sections. We hope that the characterization of armadillo's LC will incite studies of leprosy and immunity in this animal model.

The Mycobacterium leprae genome: systematic sequence analysis identifies key catabolic enzymes, ATP-dependent transport systems and a novel polA locus associated with genomic variability.

In the framework of the mycobacterial genome sequencing project, a continuous 37,049 bp sequence from the Mycobacterium leprae chromosome has been determined. Computer analysis revealed 10 complete open reading frames, and nine of their products show similarity to known proteins. Seven of these were identified as the enzyme isocitrate lyase, two P-type ATPase cation transporters, two AMP-binding proteins, the ribosomal protein S1, and DNA polymerase I. Interestingly, the polA gene, encoding DNA polymerase, is flanked by two inverted copies of a new class of the M. leprae specific repetitive sequence, RLEP, and this structure resembles a transposable element. A second copy of this element was found at another locus in the genome, but the two copies were not present in equal amounts and could not be found in all isolates of M. leprae. This is the first evidence for genomic variability in the leprosy bacillus and might ultimately be useful for developing a molecular test capable of distinguishing between strains of M. leprae.