Scanning Electron Microscopic Appearance of Thy‐1 Positive Dendritic Epidermal Cells in Mouse Epidermal Cell Suspension

The distribution of Thy‐1.2 antigens and asialo GM1 on suspended epidermal cells prepared from C3H/He mice by trypsinizing their ear skin was examined by the scanning immunoelectron microscopic method using antibodies against the antigens and antibody‐bacteriophage T4 conjugates as visual markers. Thy‐1.2 and asialo GM1 were found to be distributed diffusely over a cell type with a relatively cuboidal shape and numerous villous projections. These cells are considered to be Thy‐1 positive dendritic epidermal cells. The significance of these findings is discussed.