['The proportion of dendritic cell subpopulations in the skin is important for the severity of atopic dermatitis because topical treatment with tacrolimus leads to rapid depletion of inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells, whereas Langerhans cells (LCs) predominate in cured sites.', 'The effects of tacrolimus and TGF-beta1 on LC differentiation and the idea of tacrolimus skewing the differentiation of epidermal precursors to LCs were evaluated.', 'The presence of LC markers, MHC, and costimulatory molecules and stimulatory capacity toward T cells of monocyte-derived LCs were analyzed. Skin samples of patients with atopic dermatitis were assessed by means of immunofluorescence microscopy before and after tacrolimus treatment. TGF-beta production of skin cells was analyzed.', 'Tacrolimus and TGF-beta1 act synergistically on the generation of LCs and the expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, CD83, and MHC II; stabilize TGF-beta receptor II expression; and decrease the stimulatory capacity of LCs toward T cells. In vivo the number of epidermal LCs in tacrolimus-treated skin increased.'] Do tacrolimus and TGF-beta act synergistically on the generation of Langerhans cells?