Dermal dendrocytes represent a population of resident cells of the dermis identified recently by virtue of the immunohistochemical expression of the coagulation factor XIIIa (fXIIIa).

These dendritic cells of bone-marrow origin bear particular histoenzymatic and immunohistochemical features, some of which are shared with antigen-presenting cells; however, they are clearly distinct from epidermal Langerhans cells (S100+, CD1a+).

Dermal dendrocytes could act as macrophages, antigen-presenting cells or participate in the homeostasis of macromolecules of the dermis.

These cells give rise to some cutaneous tumours and seem involved in inflammatory dermatoses where they act by means of cytokine production; they represent targets of HIV infection.

Immunophenotype

 factor XIIIa+
 fascin+
 CD34+

Pathology

 dendrocytic tumors (dendrocytic proliferations)

• dermal dendrocyte hamartoma
• dermal dendrocytoma

 dendritic cell-related histiocytoses

• juvenile xanthogranuloma (#12717244#)
• xanthoma disseminatum

See also

 cutaneous dendritic cells

• cutaneous Langerhans cells

References

 Headington JT. The dermal dendrocyte. Adv Dermatol. 1986;1:159-71. PMID: #3079241#