Epithelial surfaces, such as the skin, provide an interface with the environment and as such are repeatedly exposed to a variety of toxins and mutagens. This is reflected in the fact that 90% of human cancers arise in epithelial tissues. Amongst the cells of the skin are a type of dendritic cell known as Langerhans cells (LCs) which are generally believed to internalise, process and present antigens from abnormal cells to T cells, triggering an immune response and limiting carcinogenesis.
